Burgess Family and Advocacy Through Remembrance

Season 3 Episode 7

How do you endure the unimaginable experience of losing a child? Though the grief stays with you forever, knowing that your advocacy is shaping the landscape of blood clot prevention and saving countless lives the world over can at least shine some joy through the pain. In the memory of a beautiful life cut short, we can shine a light on what needs to be done and give others the chance to live.

In this episode of Taking a Breath, Karrie and Bob Burgess, parents to Blake Burgess, recount their journey of losing a child to blood clots and their experience as advocates for blood clot awareness in the remembrance of their wonderful son. Alongside NBCA President Leslie Lake and NBCA Patient Liaison Todd Robertson, this conversation explores not just survival and loss, but what it means to chart a path that will save countless lives to follow. Listeners will hear practical insights on recognizing warning signs, advocating for yourself in medical settings, and finding community in the wake of significant loss.

Meet Our Guests

Karrie and Bob Burgess

Parents to Blake Burgess who passed away in 2021 due to a pulmonary embolism. Proponents and Champions to the Blake Burgess Blood Clot Prevention Act (House Bill 3644) in the state of Oklahoma which provides another critical step in in the national movement to improve blood clot prevention and care.

About NBCA

The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control. NBCA accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness, educate patients and healthcare professionals, and promote supportive public and private sector policy.

Our Hosts

Leslie Lake

In 2018, Leslie suffered a bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE). Her quest to learn more about venous thromboembolism (VTE) lead her to the National Blood Clot Alliance Despite living in New York City, Leslie was shocked by the lack of information available to her after her PE. As Board President, Leslie is committed to raising public awareness so no person affected by blood clots is without the necessary information they need to prevent or successfully treat VTE, and that they also have the information they need to navigate the spectrum of lifestyle issues that can follow a blood clot diagnosis. Leslie holds a BS in Economics from Simmons College, where she is also a Trustee, member of the Finance and Investment Committees, and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. She is also Board member of the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Society of North America (THSNA) and External Advisory Board member of CanVECTOR.

Todd Robertson

Todd is the Patient Engagement Liaison for The National Blood Alliance. In 2011, Todd suffered the first of seven blood clots and in 2017 experienced a close call with his first pulmonary embolism. He is a carrier of the inherited clotting disorder, factor V Leiden, and is homozygous, making him aggressive in the abnormal clotting department. He is a motivational speaker for blood clot trauma recovery and is a local patient advocate for new patients. He is working on his first book, “Blood Clots: A Road Map to Recovery.” Todd runs several Facebook support groups and has developed a level of trust and friendship with thousands of patients over the years. He loves to road and mountain bike, white water canoe, and stays active all year round.

Links

https://www.stoptheclot.org/year-end-donation-page-2025/?c_src=podcast

YouTube: youtube.com/stoptheclot

Facebook: facebook.com/stoptheclot

Instagram: instagram.com/stoptheclot

X: x.com/StopTheClot

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/national-blood-clot-alliance

BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/stoptheclot.bsky.social

TikTok: tiktok.com/@stoptheclot

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