ITP, or immune thrombocytopenic purpura, is a rare autoimmune disorder impacting an estimated 90,000 adult patients in the U.S. and Europe. ITP is an orphan disease characterized by low platelet counts in the blood. Since platelets are specialized cells required by the body to prevent bleeding, a low platelet count could leave patients with ITP at risk for serious bleeding events. In extreme cases, these events can even lead to death.

This September marks the second annual ITP Awareness Month in the U.S. The initiative is spearheaded by the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA) to help increase the public’s understanding of this serious disease. To learn more about how you can support ITP Awareness Month, visit www.pdsa.org. For additional ITP information and resources, click on the following link: www.itpanswers.com.