In August 2022, Payton Quaife’s doctor recommended running some blood tests. The doctor didn’t want to frighten the family. But Quaife had a number of bruises that were healing poorly and it seemed like an underlying cause could be at play. Kendall Jarboe of Northern News Now shares that the tests came back with an answer. Quaife needed to go to the hospital. She was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
Understanding ITP
Also known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP is characterized by low levels of platelets in the blood. Platelets play a role in wound healing and stopping bleeding. Normally, people have platelet counts between 150,000 – 450,000.
In ITP, the immune system creates antibodies which attack and destroy platelets. Doctors don’t know why this occurs in all cases, though pregnancy, infection, and immune disorders have been implicated in some situations. Regardless, this causes platelet counts to drop significantly. Many people with ITP have platelet counts under 100,000. This can lead to easy bruising (often appearing as large purple bruises) and bleeding, extremely heavy menstruation, frequent nosebleeds, small red dots under the skin, cranial bleeding, or bloody vomit, stool, or urine.
In Quaife’s case, having ITP means that she cannot always participate in activities or events that her peers are doing such as playing sports. Instead, the 13-year-old enjoys art and acting.
Managing the Diagnosis
When the family received the call, doctors told them that Quaife didn’t just have low platelets; her platelet count was almost fully depleted. Her condition was life-threatening. Even after visiting the hospital, the Quaife family required a life flight to the Mayo Clinic to ensure that their daughter survived. Here, she received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment. The treatment for ITP varies based on each individual patient. Some individuals may receive a platelet transfusion, steroids, intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG), Rutixan, Promacta, or a splenectomy.
Since her diagnosis, the 13-year-old has required numerous infusions and has been treated with blood from 163 separate donors. Thankful for the support, and driven to give back to the community, the Quaife family has held its own blood drive for local blood banks. Over 80 people donated during their first event, leading them to spearhead a secondary blood drive in Grand Marais, Minnesota at the end of July.
Even if you cannot participate in this blood drive, consider donating blood to those in need. Search for blood drives near you.
