Tim Dunham Blood Disorder Awareness Scholarship

These blood disorders can have dramatic effects on an individual and his or her family. The personal experience of living with or knowing somebody affected by a blood disorder has been challenging and enlightening; it has really driven home the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and compassionate care. Here's how this journey has shaped me and how I hope to spread awareness about these conditions. Living with a blood disorder or caregiving for a loved one with a blood disorder brings its own specific sets of challenges. A long list of blood-related disorders includes conditions such as anemia, clotting disorders, leukemias, and hemophilias, among others. Many of these disorders require continued medical interventions, frequent hospitalizations, and an intimate grasp of complex medical information. It can involve a lifetime of symptomatic management, adherence to treatment, and coping with the medical and emotional problems that the disorder presents. Perhaps one of the largest effects a blood disorder can have on any person is the way in which life will be affected on a daily basis. Things that used to be relatively easy now become major challenges. For instance, hemophilic patients must be cautious about injury because minor ones, such as cuts, might lead to uncontrollable bleeding. People with anemia very often have chronic tiredness and hence are unable to continue the day with routine work. Of course, this constant vigilance is tiresome sometimes, frustrating isolation arising as a consequence. Yet, such a life has drawn out and strengthened the usually inhibited strength and resilience. Living with a blood disorder has taught me the importance of persistence, strong family bonds, and medical advancement. It has also made clear the need for greater public awareness and education about blood disorders. Raising awareness about blood disorders is important on several counts. First, awareness can result in early diagnosis and treatment. Many disorders of the blood can be managed through the proper dispensation of medical treatment, although often, the timing of interventions makes all the difference. By educating the public about symptoms associated with these disorders and the risks thereof, we may encourage more people to seek medical advice much earlier than otherwise. Awareness can help reduce stigma related to blood disorders. Misconceived beliefs and misunderstanding often lead to discrimination and social isolation for those affected. Sharing proper information with personal stories may allow a person to live in an inclusive and supportive community. Finally, awareness translates into funding and support for research. It is through medical research that new treatments can be developed, and maybe even cures for blood disorders. Public awareness campaigns spur donations and advocacy and often lead to huge medical breakthroughs. Personal and community levels are the plans for the dissemination of information on blood disorders. It could be that allowing others to relate to the conditions more personally will be enabled through sharing personal experiences through blogs, social media, and public speaking. Also, in collaboration with healthcare organizations, informational workshops and support groups could hold an environment of valuable resources and community. Although painful, living with a blood disorder has been trying but an educating experience. It has taught me much about the value of resiliency, the need for a support system, and the greater need for raising public awareness. By telling my story, it too is one of higher education and research to which I hope to ensure some positive contributions are made within the lives of those affected with disorders of the blood and to an informed, caring society.