ITP Awareness Month

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness Diseases Educational
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September
Holiday emoji:: 🩸

ITP Awareness Month champions support for individuals battling immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) every September. This autoimmune bleeding disorder impacts millions, and the month aims to boost public understanding and patient advocacy. Join the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) in raising funds and sharing stories to improve lives.

Deals
Platforms
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Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Observe

Expected ITP Awareness Month Deals

ITP Awareness Month focuses on fundraising and advocacy rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) partner with pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Amgen, and Rigel Pharmaceuticals to fund research, patient education programs, and support services. Many individuals participate in walks, virtual events, and donation drives throughout September, often amplified by corporate matching programs. Look for opportunities to contribute directly to ITP research and patient aid through the PDSA’s official website and related initiatives. We will update this page with confirmed live fundraising events as September approaches.

Platform Guide for ITP Awareness Month

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #ITPAwarenessMonth and #ITPStrongerTogether. Share facts, patient stories, and research updates.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #ITPAwarenessMonth. Join or host virtual support groups and share educational content.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ITPAwarenessMonth. Post infographics, personal stories, and photos of advocacy events using relevant hashtags.

ITP Awareness Month Hero

Carolyn R. Logan

Carolyn R. Logan is the founder of the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA). After her own diagnosis with ITP, she recognized the critical need for patient support and advocacy, leading her to establish the organization in 1997. Her dedication has transformed the landscape of ITP patient care, providing resources, education, and a community for millions affected by the condition. Logan's work continues to inspire and empower patients worldwide.

History of ITP Awareness Month

One in every 10,000 American children is at the risk of developing immune thrombocytopenic purpura (I.T.P.) in their lives. I.T.P., an insidious autoimmune disease, is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system mistakenly destroys platelets essential for bodily function. Such were the struggles of Joan Young, an Ohio native, who was diagnosed with I.T.P. in 1992. After years of failed therapies and dead-end treatments, Young understood the crafty and enduring nature of her illness. She was disappointed with the cruel reality of living with an autoimmune disease and the lonely nature of her fight. Experiencing the invisibility of her struggles for almost six years, she decided to change the course of how people view I.T.P. In 1998, blessed with a temporary remission, she established the Platelet Disorder Support Association.

Young’s experience with loneliness shaped her fight against I.T.P. It was not long before she understood that a better life, filled with the love and care of a community, is possible. In 2010, P.D.S.A. dedicated the month of September as National I.T.P. Awareness Month. Each year, I.T.P. warriors share their approach to healing and living purposeful lives in the face of a lasting disease. The P.D.S.A. community also shares alternative methods of healing from all across the world.

The central mission of the organization is to connect like-minded people against their fight with I.T.P. A coordinated awareness campaign about the disease equips the patients and caregivers with tools to combat it. P.D.S.A. issues an annual social media toolkit to raise awareness about the disease and its manifestations on millions of Americans.

ITP Awareness Month timeline

1992

Diagnosis and Discovery

Joan Young is diagnosed with I.T.P., which changes the trajectory of her life.

1998

Foundation

Young establishes the Platelet Disorder Support Association for patients with platelet disorders.

2010

The Month is Minted

The P.D.S.A. dedicates the month of September as National ITP Awareness Month.

2016

Scholarships

The 2016 National Conference rewards $24,000 in scholarships to those in need.

How Businesses Can Celebrate ITP Awareness Month

Local businesses can show support for ITP Awareness Month by hosting fundraising events or dedicating a portion of September’s sales to ITP research and patient support organizations like the PDSA. Pharmacies and healthcare providers can offer educational materials and free informational sessions about ITP symptoms and diagnosis. Companies can also encourage employees to wear purple, the awareness color for ITP, or organize a corporate team for a virtual walk/run to raise funds and visibility.

ITP Awareness Month FAQs

When is ITP Awareness Month?

ITP Awareness Month runs throughout September 2026, dedicated to raising understanding and support for immune thrombocytopenic purpura. This annual observance highlights the challenges faced by patients and the importance of research.

How many people are affected by ITP?

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare disease, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 adults and 1 in 25,000 children annually. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 people live with ITP.

What are the common symptoms of ITP?

The most common symptoms of ITP are related to bleeding, including easy bruising (purpura), small red or purple spots on the skin (petechiae), nosebleeds, and bleeding gums. Fatigue is also a frequent and often debilitating symptom.

What is the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA)?

The Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) is a vital non-profit founded in 1997, serving as the leading resource for ITP patients and their families. They provide comprehensive educational materials, connect patients through support groups, and advocate for research funding.

How to Observe ITP Awareness Month

Host a fundraiser
Statistically, someone in your close circle or a member of your community is struggling with an autoimmune disease. This National ITP Awareness Month, host a fundraiser on their behalf and help them in raising awareness about their disease.
Join the challenge
Platelet Disorder Support Association issues the annual social media toolkit and many interesting challenges ahead of the schedule to maximize participation. You can be a part of these fun activities and become a part of the movement against I.T.P.
Schedule a checkup
Autoimmune diseases can appear out of nowhere. Oftentimes, untreated flu or any other disorder can flare up the immunity system and trigger their onset. This September, get one step ahead of the course and schedule a full body check-up to rule out any such possibility.

5 Surprising Facts About Autoimmune Diseases That You Must Know

It is everywhere
More than 23 million Americans are struggling with autoimmune diseases, making it a leading cause of disability and death.
Women versus men
Women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, all due to their strong immune system which acts as a double-edged sword.
The belly of secrets
An upset stomach or consistent digestive programs such as bloody stools and I.B.S. can be a symptom of autoimmune disease.
Give the Cleanex a break
Maintaining an obsessively clean environment with underexposure to bacteria and dirt can damage our immunity system.
It is a family affair
Almost all common autoimmune diseases such as lupus and diabetes are hereditary

Why ITP Awareness Month is Important

It is a lonely journey
Patients battling autoimmune diseases have a lonely road ahead of them. Emergency room visits, experimental treatments, and the chronic instability of health can be an isolating experience. Through P.D.S.A., patients and caregivers can join a safe community that helps them navigate these tumultuous experiences.
Fight the stigma
I.T.P. patients deserve to live fulfilling personal and professional lives, brimmed with options and opportunities. Stigma stemming from ignorance can hinder their shot at happiness. I.T.P. Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about the complexities of this disease.
It gives a stage to the patients
Autoimmune diseases are silent killers. With the support of this month-long campaign, patients can share their struggles with the world and find solace in their community.