In 2024, the Rowan Foundation expanded its reach and resources in several important ways. We saw a 40% increase in new users on our website, while our presence on Instagram and Facebook grew by an impressive 80%. These milestones are a testament to the growing awareness of our mission and the importance of addressing the issue of women’s health and dangerous clotting.
One of the year’s highlights was our focus on the complex topic of genetic thrombophilia or inherited clotting disorders. We created comprehensive educational materials about inherited clotting disorders, genetic testing in thrombophilia, and the emerging promise of genetic testing in contraception decision-making. If you haven’t yet explored these resources, we encourage you to do so—they offer valuable insights into a critical area of women’s health.
In addition to these educational efforts, we forged a meaningful partnership with 23andMe, resulting in the publication of the Rowan family’s experience with factor V Leiden and the dangers of blood clotting on the 23andMe website. This story — pointing to the sudden loss of Alexandra Rowan to a massive pulmonary embolism — underscores the potential value of genetic testing in guiding contraception choices, especially for women with a known clotting disorder or a family history of clotting.
Community Connections
Some of our most rewarding moments this year came from connecting with you, the clotting community. We were honored to share the personal stories of 25 women affected by blood clots on our website and social media channels in 2024. Each of these stories was unique, yet they all share a common thread: They inspire and educate others about the critical intersection of women’s health and clotting.
As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to amplifying the voices of this community. Your experiences and insights are at the heart of our mission, and they guide our efforts to foster awareness and action.