Connect with us

Health & Wellness

Principal Dies After Bone Marrow Procedure To Save Teen

A New Jersey principal has passed away after a bone marrow procedure to try to save the life of a 14-year-old boy he never met. 

Unheard Voices Magazine Logo

Published

on

Principal Dies After Bone Marrow Procedure To Save Teen
Dr. Derrick Nelson

A New Jersey principal has passed away after trying to save the life of a 14-year-old boy he never met.

Dr. Derrick Nelson, the 44-year-old principal of West Field High School, fell into a coma in February after a procedure to donate bone marrow to a sick teen in France.

Nelson’s family told NJ.com that the 44-year-old educator never regained consciousness after donating bone marrow in February. His father, Willie Nelson, said his son never spoke again. Nelson’s family kept a vigil at Hackensack University Hospital, according to the NJ.com story, but he never came out of his coma. Nelson is being remembered as “a gift” to the high school and town community.

“As a committed educator he understood that he was a role model at all times,” Westfield Superintendent of Schools Margaret Dolan said Tuesday during a news conference. “He knew he was a role model for students, for the staff and for his colleagues and he never forgot that. He was a good man.”

The school’s newspaper reported in February that Nelson decided to donate his bone marrow to the teen in France after being contacted by Be the Match. The national bone marrow donor program told him that his blood might be a match.”If it’s just a little bit of pain for a little bit of time that can give someone years of joy, it’s all worth it,” Nelson told the paper then.

In a letter to parents, Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan said, “Dr. Nelson touched us all with his kindness, compassion, integrity, and endlessly positive attitude.”We hold him and his family in our hearts as we grieve this loss together and I know you join me in granting his family the privacy they have requested.”Nelson, 44, served in the US Army Reserve for more than 20 years, according to Dolan. He joined Westfield Public Schools in 2010 as the assistant principal of Roosevelt Intermediate School. He later was assistant principal and principal of Westfield High, which has more than 1,800 students.

After news of Nelson’s untimely death, a petition was started to rename Westfield High School Derrick Nelson High School. “This past Sunday Derrick Nelson the principal of Westfield high school, lost his life donating marrow to a 14 year old boy in France. This level of generosity can’t go unnoticed and this would be a fantastic way to honor his memory,” the petition post reads.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday the petition had more than 11,000 signatures and goal was increased to 15,000.


----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube

Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Health & Wellness

Hydeia Broadbent’s father launches GoFundMe following the activist’s death

Hydeia Broadbent passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, February 20th.

Unheard Voices Magazine

Published

on

Hydeia Broadbent father GoFundMe
Hydeia Broadbent (Photo Source: GoFundMe)

HIV/AIDS activist Hydeia Broadbent’s father has launched a GoFundMe following her death.

Hydeia passed away Tuesday, February 20th, at 39 years old.

She passed away peacefully

Her father, Loren Broadbent, shared the news Wednesday on Facebook that she died peacefully from natural causes.

Hydeia was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.

At three years old, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS.

Several years later after her diagnosis at age 6, Hydeia became a steadfast HIV/AIDS activist, committed to spreading awareness about the disease.

She appeared on various national television programs, including “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” “20/20,” and “Good Morning America.” She also appeared in New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister Magazine.

In 2014, Hydeia became a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation.

Hydeia Broadbent GoFundMe

In light of Hydeia’s untimely passing, her father has set up a GoFundMe.

“Hi, I am Loren Broadbent, the father of Hydeia Broadbent. Yesterday afternoon Hydeia unexpectedly passed away. Our hearts are broken. Hydeia spent her whole life since the age of five showing us all how to love, fight, and speak up for those affected with HIV and AIDS. And as much as I wish she was still here fighting the great fight, God called her home. Letting us all know. Job well done”, the GoFundMe reads.

“In honor of her memory the family would like to lay her to rest. So at this time we are asking for donations. Along with well wishes and prayers. We would like to thank you in advance. Thank you, and let’s all keep her memory alive and continue the fight where she left off.”

The family is seeking to raise $20,000. At the time of this posting, they have raised approximately $14,000.

If you are interested in donating to Hydeia’s celebration of life and supporting the family, please visit the GoFundMe for more information.


----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube

Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.

Continue Reading

Health & Wellness

Hydeia Broadbent, AIDS activist and motivational speaker, dies at 39

Hydeia Broadbent passed away at 39 from natural causes.

Unheard Voices Magazine Logo

Published

on

Hydeia Broadbent
Hydeia Broadbent (Facebook)

Hydeia Broadbent, a prominent AIDS activist and motivational speaker, has passed away at age 39.

Confirmation of Hydeia Broadbent’s passing

Her passing was confirmed by her father Loren Broadbent, in a post on Facebook, sharing Hydeia died from natural causes.

“With great sadness, I must inform you all that our beloved friend, mentor, and daughter Hydeia, passed away today after living with AIDS since birth,” his post read.

“Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Hydeia remained determined to spread hope and positivity through education around Hiv/AIDS.”

Her incredible story

According to her website, Broadbent was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas and, as an infant, was adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent.

At three years old, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS.

Hydeia Broadbent and her activism

Hydeia Broadbent on Oprah

Hydeia Broadbent on Oprah

Hydeia became an activist at age 6, telling her story to the masses on various national television programs, including “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon, “Oprah,” “20/20,” and “Good Morning America.” She also appeared in New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister Magazine.

Motivational speaker

In 1996, she was a speaker at the Republican National Convention, she stated “I am the future, and I have AIDS.”

In 2002, her family published a book entitled “You Get Past The Tears,” she appeared with her family on “Extreme Home Makeover” in 2004.

Until her passing, she was an international motivational speaker and AIDS activist.

In 2014, she became a spokesperson for the Magic Johnson Foundation, as well as other AIDS activist organizations, in order “to educate people about HIV/AIDS, raise awareness, and fight discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.”

“People think because I was born with HIV my story does not apply to them. Well, this same disease I am living with is the same disease you can get if you are aware and informed,” Broadbent said.

“I use my testimony as a warning of what you don’t want to go through.”

Most of us watched Hydeia and her bravery as she shared her story on this autoimmune disease. Her courage was something to be admired.

Unheard Voices sends its heartfelt condolences to Hydeia’s family and loved ones.


----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube

Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.

Continue Reading

Health & Wellness

Snoop Dogg’s daughter suffers “severe” stroke

Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus revealed in an instagram post she suffered a “severe” stroke.

Unheard Voices Magazine Logo

Published

on

Cori broadus suffers stroke

Snoop Dogg’s daughter Cori Broadus revealed she suffered a stroke.

Cori Broadus suffers stroke

On Thursday, the 24-year-old posted a photo on her Instagram Story from the hospital following the health scare.

“I had a severe stroke this a.m. I started breaking down crying when they told me,” she wrote. “Like I’m only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this.”

Cori Broadus stroke (Photo Source: Instagram)

(Photo Source: Instagram)

Although Broadus didn’t provide any specific details on what led to her stroke or her recovery, the singer has had a difficult health journey for years after being diagnosed with lupus at age 6.

What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that makes your immune system damage organs and tissue throughout your body. It causes inflammation that can affect your skin, joints, blood and organs like your kidneys, lungs and heart.

Let’s keep Cori and all those battling autoimmune diseases like Lupus in our prayers. It is certainly a daily fight.


----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube

Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.

Continue Reading

Facebook

Archives

Tags

unheard voices shop
unheard voices on google play
unheard voices on itunes

Trending