World Thrombosis Day 2025: Awareness from Head to Toe at St. Vincent’s University Hospital

13th October 2025

Today, our Thrombosis Team at St. Vincent’s University Hospital marked World Thrombosis Day with a series of activities aimed at raising awareness of blood clots and the importance of early action.

From an information stand in CentrePoint to joining the Irish Heart Foundation’s #HeadToToeChallenge, the team brought light-hearted energy to a serious message – that blood clots can affect the body from head to toe and awareness can save lives.

Throughout the day, staff, patients and visitors stopped by the stand to learn more about the signs, symptoms and prevention of thrombosis. The team shared practical tips, answered questions and encouraged everyone to stay alert to the sometimes silent warning signs of blood clots.

A powerful part of the day was sharing Mikel’s story – a patient who shared his journey through recurrent blood clots and his recovery at SVUH.
After collapsing at home with life-threatening clots in his lungs, Mikel was admitted to ICU at SVUH where he received specialist care from the ICU and Thrombosis teams, led by Dr. Karen Murphy and Advanced Nurse Practitioner Emily Bury. He then spent an extra 12 days in a ward, where teams from haematology, respiratory, cardiology and diabetes worked together – almost like fitting pieces of a jigsaw – to stabilise his blood results and get everything back in balance.

Thanks to their expert care and ongoing follow-up, Mikel has since made a full recovery. He has returned to full-time work, taken up cycling and tennis and now shares his story to encourage others to take prevention seriously and seek help early.

“If it weren’t for the personal, specialist, one-to-one care I received at St. Vincent’s University Hospital – from the ICU team to the Thrombosis service – I don’t think I’d be here today. Their care is truly invaluable,” said Mikel.

You can watch our Thrombosis Team take part in the #HeadToToeChallenge here and read Mikel’s full story here, a reminder that behind every awareness campaign are real patients whose courage and resilience inspire us all.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make World Thrombosis Day at SVUH a success – especially Dr. Karen Murphy, Emily Bury and Sinéad O’Mahony and to our staff, patients and visitors for stopping by throughout the day.