Bruised But Not Broken: Living with ITP

In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , host Barbara Pruitt dives into the critical role of advocacy in making immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) a recognized priority in Washington. Joined by PDSA President and CEO Caroline Kruse and Government Relations Consultant Jim Romano, they discuss the ongoing fight for federal funding, the importance of patient voices in policy change, an...

In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , host Barbara Pruitt is joined by PDSA President and CEO Caroline Kruse and Director of Research and Canadian Advocacy Jennifer DiRaimo to share exclusive insights from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) conference. They discuss the latest breakthroughs in ITP research, including promising new treatments, the role of the gut microbi...

In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , host Barbara Pruitt sits down with Meredith Prescott to discuss her incredible journey of navigating life with ITP while pursuing her dreams, building a career, and starting a family. Diagnosed as a college senior, Meredith shares how she overcame the challenges of living with ITP, from understanding her diagnosis to managing pregnancy a...

In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , we hear from Jill Vorst, a mother who shares her powerful journey of navigating life with her daughter Elizabeth’s chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). From the scary initial diagnosis at age two to the challenges of managing Elizabeth’s relapses, side effects, and mental health, Jill offers an honest and heartfelt perspective on the t...

Have you ever wondered if your ITP diagnosis could be connected to genetics? In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , host Barbara Pruitt sits down with Genetic Counselors Jennifer DiRaimo and Hannah Helber to discuss the intriguing intersection of ITP and genetic testing. Together, they explore how inherited conditions might mimic ITP, when genetic testing may be beneficial, a...

In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , host Barbara Pruitt is joined by Jody Shy, Director of Programs and Events for PDSA, to explore the unique challenges faced by families of children diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Together, they discuss how PDSA’s innovative programs, like the Poke-R Club, help ease needle anxiety for kids while empowering parents with reso...

In this episode of Bruised but Not Broken: Living with ITP , we dive into the fascinating connection between immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in humans and animals. Host Barbara Pruitt speaks with Dr. Dana LeVine, a veterinary medicine professor and leading researcher in immune-mediated blood disorders, to uncover surprising parallels between canine and human ITP. Dr. LeVine shares her journey from h...

Barbara Pruitt welcomes Jody Shy, the Director of Programs and Events for the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA). Together, they discuss the invaluable support PDSA offers to children and families affected by immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). A highlight of their conversation is “Kids Kamp,” a life-changing program created for children with ITP to connect, have fun, and find a community of...

Host Barbara Pruitt is joined by world-renowned hematologist Dr. Terry Gernsheimer to explore the basics of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), a condition that affects the body’s platelet levels leading to easy bruising and internal bleeding. Dr. Gernsheimer shares her journey into hematology, how ITP is diagnosed, the different phases of the condition, and what treatment options are available. She al...

We explore the fascinating world of genetics and its potential connection to ITP (immune thrombocytopenia). Join Barbara Pruitt as she speaks with Certified Genetic Counselor Jennifer DiRaimo about the role genetics might play in your diagnosis and what your family history could reveal. Learn how to create a thorough family medical history, uncover possible genetic factors, and understand when to...

In this first episode of Bruised But Not Broken: Living with ITP, host Barbara Pruitt is joined by the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) President and CEO, Caroline Kruse, for an insightful conversation about their personal journeys with ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia). Caroline shares her experience of being diagnosed later in life, while Barbara reflects on living with ITP since childho...