Patient stories: Bridget

“Sometimes you might go into a shell because you think no one understands. So because no one understand, you won’t talk about it.”  

For Bridget Broaden, those words capture a challenge many people living with a rare blood cancer know all too well: feeling isolated in a condition that few others understand. Yet rather than retreat, Bridget has spent years building connections, sharing her experiences, and helping ensure that the voices of patients are heard. Today, she is a longtime advocate in the myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) community and a dedicated member of MPN Research Foundation’s Patient Impact Council. 

Bridget's journey with essential thrombocythemia (ET) began long before she received a diagnosis. After returning from service in the Persian Gulf War, she experienced worsening symptoms, including fatigue, migraines, and burning sensations in her hands and feet. For years, she searched for answers while managing symptoms that affected her daily life. Eventually, she was diagnosed with ET, a rare blood cancer characterized by the overproduction of platelets. Her disease is associated with a JAK2 mutation, and she continues to manage her condition with treatment and regular medical care. 

Bridget's connection with MPN Research Foundation began in 2015 when she reached out for help during a shortage of anagrelide, a medication commonly used to manage ET. What started as a request for support soon became a deeper commitment to the MPN community. A bright highlight in her patient advocacy was participation in a Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting organized by the Foundation to help inform the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the need for better MPN treatment options. 

Bridget is valued as an advocate on the Patient Impact Council since 2019, helping ensure that patient perspectives are represented in conversations about research, education, and unmet needs. In 2026, she began a new term that will continue through 2028, further strengthening her longstanding commitment.

Her motivation is rooted in a desire to be part of progress. “I want to be a part of the research so that if someone says ‘they’re not doing the research [for ET],' I can say 'this is what’s been done’.” 

Bridget is particularly passionate about raising awareness of ET, a disease she feels can sometimes receive less attention than other MPNs. “To me, ET feels like the stepchild of the group because sometimes I feel like there’s just not enough effort put forth for us.” 

At the same time, she remains encouraged by the resources available to patients today. She has especially enjoyed MPN Research Foundation's recent MPN Pathways webinar series, which provides practical education and insight into living with an MPN. 

“But just because it's rare doesn't mean that they're not things out there for us.” 

For Bridget, education and community go hand in hand. She hopes every patient finds opportunities to connect with others who understand the realities of life with an MPN. "I think that's one of the main things, that everybody needs to feel like they're not out there by themselves." 

More than 30 years after her symptoms first emerged, Bridget continues to use her experience to support fellow patients, contribute to research discussions, and advocate for continued progress. Through her service on the Patient Impact Council and her active involvement in the MPN community, she embodies the power of turning a personal journey into a force for connection, education, and hope.