World Thrombosis Day Campaign Appoints Professor Beverley Hunt Medical Lead for Thrombosis UK, as New Steering Committee Chair
Thrombosis UK is delighted with the announcement that Professor Beverley Hunt, Founder and Medical Lead of Thrombosis UK, has just been announced as the new incoming chair of the World Thrombosis Day (WTD) Steering Committee by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).
Established in 2013, the global movement, World Thrombosis Day, works with more than 1,500 international partners to raise awareness of thrombosis and, ultimately, to reduce deaths and disabilities from thromboembolic disease.
Professor Hunt, Professor of Thrombosis and Haemostasis at King's College in London, UK, and a consultant at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals, is both a national and global advocate of thrombosis, and has served as a member of the World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee since 2014.
Annually, in Europe and the US, thrombosis (serious and potentially fatal blood clots), kill more people that AIDS, breast cancer, prostate cancer and traffic road accidents combined. Despite this, the fact that one in four deaths are thrombosis-related it and being the number one cause of preventable hospital deaths, there is low awareness that thrombosis can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.
In 2002, Professor Hunt founded Thrombosis UK, a charity dedicated to extending education, research and care of thrombosis to support and in collaboration with patients, NHS providers and healthcare professionals throughout the UK.
On hearing of her appointment to Chair of the WTD Steering Committee Chair Professor Hunt said,
“I am a passionate advocate for thrombosis awareness, education, prevention and treatment, so it is an honor to serve in this important leadership role for the global thrombosis community,” Hunt said. “The campaign has made tremendous strides over the past five years as a result of Gary Raskob’s excellent leadership, and I look forward to continuing that success and fostering an innovative path forward. My goal is to inspire our international community of advocates to join us in building awareness and galvanizing change across the world.”
Jo Jerrome, CEO of Thrombosis UK commented:
“This is wonderful news. Professor Hunt has been pivotal in advancing understanding and practice in treating all those at risk of or affected by blood clots in the UK. In this global role, her inspiration, expertise and commitment to advance understanding and care is certain to bring benefits to patients world-wide.”
