Sport Purple for Platelets Day Date in the current year: September 27, 2024

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia, is an autoimmune disorder of hemostasis (the body’s ability to keep blood within a damage vessel to prevent and stop bleeding). ITP is characterized by a low platelet count, which increases the risk of bleeding from the skin or mucosal surfaces, such as the gums or nose.

The most common signs of ITP are the spontaneous formation of bruises and small red or purple spots (petechiae) caused by bleeding underneath the skin. If the platelet count falls below a certain threshold, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and heavy menstrual bleeding in patients who menstruate may also occur. An extremely low platelet count may lead to potentially fatal complications such as internal bleeding, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or hemorrhagic stroke.

There is no cure for ITP; treatment is focused on controlling symptoms and ensuring a good quality of life. Patients with only mild bruising and petechiae usually require regular monitoring rather than treatment to make sure their symptoms don’t get worse (the watchful waiting strategy).

For patient with more severe symptoms, there is a range of treatments to raise platelet counts and prevent uncontrolled bleeding. They include antibiotics (when ITP is accompanied by a Helicobacter pylori infection), Anti-Rho(D), B-cell depletion therapy, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, intravenous immunoglobulin, modified testosterone, platelet destruction inhibition, platelet growth factors, and splenectomy. Each treatment option has its benefits, risks, and side effects.

Sport Purple for Platelets Day was launched by the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA), a patient-founded organization that focuses on educating and empowering patients with ITP and other platelet disorders. Purple was chosen as ITP awareness color for several reasons. Firstly, it is a combination of blue and red, which are associated with calm stability and fierce energy, respectively. As their fusion, purple has the power to uplift and calm nerves. Secondly, purple is known to represent bravery. Finally, it is associated with one of the most recognizable symptoms of ITP – spontaneous bruises.

The easiest way to get involved with Sport Purple for Platelets Day is to wear something purple, paint your nails or maybe even dye your hair to raise awareness and start conversations about ITP. You can also light your house up in purple, organize an awareness event in your office or community, donate to the PDSA or any other organization that supports patients with platelet disorders, and spread the word on social media with the hashtags #ITPAwareness and #PaintTheTownPurple.