The second installment of ‘Stop The Clot’ continued this past Saturday, November 18th, 2017 as residents gathered at the Lower Bight Kid’s Park on Providenciales to participate in the fitness walk, run and cycle event hosted by InterHealth Canada – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital.

The fitness event is dedicated to raising awareness of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). Participants clad in the color red started their journey on foot and bicycle shortly after 6:00 am along the Lower Bight road towards The Sands Resort roundabout and returned to the Kid’s Park as the finish line. Members from the TCI Cycling Federation embarked on an even longer journey towards Heaving Down Rock in support of the cause.

Prizes were awarded to the first male and female runners to complete the route, the youngest person to participate in the race, and the first male and female cyclers to cross the finish line. The event also featured Soca Aerobic sessions under the direction of Natalie Danclar-Rodney, a well-known local fitness enthusiast. Complimentary blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index screenings were also provided to participants at the Providenciales event.

During the event, Chief of Medical Services, Doctor Denise Braithwaite-Tennant explained the signs, symptoms and preventative measures associated with VTE and encouraged residents to live healthy lifestyles. An information booth with resources on VTE was also available.

A clot in the vein (usually in the leg or pelvis) is known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a clot that breaks off and travels to the lungs is known as a pulmonary embolism (PE). Together, DVT and PE make up Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). One in four people worldwide die of conditions caused by thrombosis.