Keep Living:
ITP in Focus
How Do You Keep Living With ITP?
ITP knows no borders. It can have a major impact on people’s lives. While managing ITP can be a lifelong journey, living with ITP doesn’t have to be only about focusing on platelet counts. Platelet management is important, but ITP shouldn’t hold anyone back from living life to its fullest.
What is ITP in Focus?
ITP in Focus is a global photo project that showcases the lives of people with ITP around the world who do not let their disease hold them back from doing the things they love. People like you, who keep ITP in perspective.
ITP in Focus asks the question:
“When you don’t have to think about your platelet count, how do you Keep Living With ITP?”
Everyone can take the time to focus on the things that matter to them, to experience the things they love, and to remember that they are more than their platelet count.
Leading a fulfilling life can be as simple as spending more time with loved ones or going for a walk.
It’s important to focus on how you can Keep Living With ITP and be your best self.
Patients in
Focus
Inspiring by Living
The people featured in the ITP in Focus photo project are living their lives beautifully, but they are not an exception to the rule. Those living with ITP are impacted in similar ways, all over the world.
What is inspiring is their determination to Keep Living their lives despite their ITP. Let them inspire you to keep ITP from holding you back.
Stanislav
Tech Enthusiast
One spring day, Stanislav experienced unexplained ailments. A nosebleed progressed to an outbreak of purple dots all over his skin. Startled, he went to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with ITP. Stanislav found a specialist in his area who helped him find a treatment plan that allows him to Keep Living with the disease. He finds strength in sharing insights with an online community of ITP patients, which helped him realize he is not alone. Stanislav's parents and friends provide a great deal of support and allow him to candidly share his experiences with the disease.
“I cannot emphasize enough to those who have just been diagnosed to not panic. Find the courage within yourself to move forward and find what is out there. Get support from your local community because that will help you most in the long run.”
Ms. Lin
Photographer
Diagnosed with ITP at only 9 years of age, Ms. Lin did not fully understand her illness at the time but recognized it was something she would always have to live with. Armed with this knowledge, she focused on how she could Keep Living with her disease rather than worrying about ITP. In addition to working closely with her treatment team, she spends her time pursuing her passions—especially photography. She believes that having a healthy lifestyle and practicing self-care help maintain her good attitude and spirit.
Ms. Lin
Photographer
Diagnosed with ITP at only 9 years of age, Ms. Lin did not fully understand her illness at the time but recognized it was something she would always have to live with. Armed with this knowledge, she focused on how she could Keep Living with her disease rather than worrying about ITP. In addition to working closely with her treatment team, she spends her time pursuing her passions—especially photography. She believes that having a healthy lifestyle and practicing self-care help maintain her good attitude and spirit.
“If you are living with ITP, you are not alone. It's important not be afraid and to enjoy life. It helped me to learn that there were other people like me in the world. I just never gave up.”
Marie
Personal Trainer; Dog Lover
As a seasoned triathlete, Marie wouldn't let anything hold her back—even the diagnosis of a rare disease. After her diagnosis with ITP, she initially wanted to ignore it but realized she needed to adapt and live with her condition. Marie Keeps Living with ITP by listening to her inner voice and managing her disease while staying happy. She now uses her expertise to help others achieve their strength through personal training.
“I try to keep ITP in perspective by remembering that it's just one thing. It is a little part of my life, but it's not my whole life. I love to motivate others and show them that if I can continue to do activities with ITP, they can too.”
Eleonora
Aspiring Photographer
Eleonora vividly remembers the night she went to the hospital. She was just 6 years of age. A week of tests at the hospital left her with a diagnosis of ITP. She was scared but received support from her parents and her friends, who were always checking on her. Though living with ITP can still be hard, Eleonora feels that she has the disease under control and balances doctor appointments and continuing to live her life. She Keeps Living by playing sports she loves and pursuing her love of photography.
Eleonora
Aspiring Photographer
Eleonora vividly remembers the night she went to the hospital. She was just 6 years of age. A week of tests at the hospital left her with a diagnosis of ITP. She was scared but received support from her parents and her friends, who were always checking on her. Though living with ITP can still be hard, Eleonora feels that she has the disease under control and balances doctor appointments and continuing to live her life. She Keeps Living by playing sports she loves and pursuing her love of photography.
“The main lesson to live with ITP is to be positive. If you see a wall in front of you, you have the strength to step over it. Everything passes. If you find the strength to stay positive, you will find the strength to keep living despite your ITP.”
Svetlana
Mother; Theatergoer
During the holiday season, Svetlana was preparing for celebrations with family and friends. Excited for shopping and parties, she did not expect to be in and out of the doctor's office to find out why she had unexplained bleeding. Diagnosed with ITP, Svetlana was determined to not let it affect her life. However, she soon realized that this required the right treatment regimen. Now on a treatment that works for her, Svetlana is able to spend time doing what she loves, including shopping with her teenage daughter and attending the theater with her best friend.
“Everyone has something in life that they need to deal with. After you accept your condition and understand that it must managed, you will be able to enjoy life and say, ‘I do have a condition, but there is so much more to life.’”
Aydin
Devoted Father
Aydin's ITP diagnosis was a stressful one. Concerned with ongoing nosebleeds and a hematoma on his arm, Aydin went to the hospital. While awaiting his results, he researched his symptoms, expecting the worst. He was relieved to learn he had ITP rather than a more life-threatening condition like leukemia. Since his diagnosis, Aydin's biggest concerns were letting his work know he would need to take time for treatment and potentially losing the ability to travel and visit his family. Now Aydin is managing his disease, continuing his work and travel. He finds comfort in communicating with other patients on a community page and Keeps Living by never letting his disease overwhelm him. Instead, he spends time with his son, playing in his yard, and biking.
Aydin
Devoted Father
Aydin's ITP diagnosis was a stressful one. Concerned with ongoing nosebleeds and a hematoma on his arm, Aydin went to the hospital. While awaiting his results, he researched his symptoms, expecting the worst. He was relieved to learn he had ITP rather than a more life-threatening condition like leukemia. Since his diagnosis, Aydin's biggest concerns were letting his work know he would need to take time for treatment and potentially losing the ability to travel and visit his family. Now Aydin is managing his disease, continuing his work and travel. He finds comfort in communicating with other patients on a community page and Keeps Living by never letting his disease overwhelm him. Instead, he spends time with his son, playing in his yard, and biking.
“I don't leave a lot of room for this disease. For me, it's important to not indulge in negative thinking, as that ends up making everything worse. Don't underestimate the disease, but don't live in fear of the disease.”
Abigail
Dedicated Mother
Abigail was diagnosed with ITP in her native Peru. Her sister noticed bruising around her neck and rashes by her eye. Abigail ended up in the hospital, her mother by her side at all times. ITP impacted her whole life. She was scared to leave the house due to the risks involved. Years later, Abigail has her ITP under control. Now living in Spain, she misses her mother, who was her rock, but she draws inspiration from her children and is living her life again.
“My ITP diagnosis shook me. I was so worried about being alone, but I also didn’t want to burden anyone. But with my family as my support, I was able to get my disease under control and move on with my life. Now I stay positive and enjoy my life with my partner and my children.”
Azucena
Avid Dancer
During a checkup while pregnant with her second child, Azucena became worried about a drop in her blood platelet count. She was told it was normal, but when her platelet count continued to drop after giving birth, she was eventually diagnosed with ITP. Azucena refused to let her disease define how she could live her life. Now that she has her ITP under control, and with her family as her biggest supporters, she is determined to Keep Living through dance.
Azucena
Avid Dancer
During a checkup while pregnant with her second child, Azucena became worried about a drop in her blood platelet count. She was told it was normal, but when her platelet count continued to drop after giving birth, she was eventually diagnosed with ITP. Azucena refused to let her disease define how she could live her life. Now that she has her ITP under control, and with her family as her biggest supporters, she is determined to Keep Living through dance.
“Something I always want to be able to do is dance. I’ve recently started to dance Sevillanas. I dance with my sister and brother-in-law…and sometimes my children, when they’ll dance with me. It’s part of who I am, and I don’t want ITP to take that away.”
Lufeng
Logistics Manager and Nature Lover
Diagnosed at only 7 years old, Lufeng has lived with ITP for most of his life. Despite this, Lufeng has persevered and manages to keep his ITP under control, so he can do what he loves most—enjoy nature with his son. Whether in parks or at the local swimming pool, they enjoy and appreciate the beautiful scenery together. He encourages others with ITP to Keep Living by staying busy and enjoying the fresh air that nature has to offer.
“My family has always been the most important part of my support system. One of my favorite memories is when I first started dating my soon-to-be wife, I was nervous to tell her about my condition. After finally revealing I had ITP, she was extremely supportive and accepting. We were married soon after.”
