Health & Wellness
Dear Governor Abbott: Autoimmune Patients Need To Be Prioritized Amid COVID-19 Crisis (Letter)
Chronic Endurance’s Founder and CEO writes a letter to Texas governor on the shortage of hydroxycholorquine amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A Texas native writes a letter to its governor, urging the state to prioritize autoimmune patients amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Dear Governor Greg Abbott,
I am writing this letter to express my sincere disdain and frustration about the way autoimmune disease patients are being prioritized amid the COVID-19 Crisis.
Due to the presumptive statements made by President Trump, regarding the medication Hydroxychloroquine, many autoimmune
patients including myself, are not able to receive the medication needed to sustain our daily lives.
As you may, or may not know, March is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month and I don’t know of a better time to make you aware of what we face daily.
For weeks now we have watched the nation panic at some of the symptoms we live through on a daily basis. And believe me when I say, we don’t wish them on anyone. I heard a patient say all she could do was sit in the tub and cry. And I am more than sure we have all had many days there. The body aches, the fatigue, the fevers, the chest pain… we know that feeling all too well. We also know the insecurity of scarring rashes and losing hair.
We know the isolation of staying home and not attending certain events during flu season due to germs. We understand the importance of hand washing and wearing mask.
We also know what it feels like to be fine one minute, and feel like you are falling apart physically the next. We know the frustration of not being able to get out of bed for days on end. And the list goes on.
Unfortunately for us, this is daily life, it does not have an end date and it won’t blow over after 14 days. Do you know the ramifications of us not having access to the life saving medication we depend on?
Don’t worry I will tell you. Without medication, we are bound to have flare ups which consist of (but is not limited to) rashes, joint pain, chest pain, low grade fevers, GI Issues, fatigue, numbness and tingling, weakness etc.
This will cause many autoimmune patients to flood emergency rooms,
further putting them at risk due to suppressed immune systems and the lack of medication needed. This could further contributed to the pandemic you so desperately wish to destroy. This means less beds, less supplies, more sick individuals, and more burnt out healthcare workers. This is unacceptable and completely avoidable if you do your part.
We are petitioning faster manufacturing of Hydroxychloroquine, and strict pharmacy regulations so that all autoimmune disease patients are able to receive their medication on time. Remember, you don’t take a life saving medication from someone to save another life… you produce MORE!
Chronic Endurance Founder,
Jyrah Knight
Jyrah Knight is the Founder and CEO of Chronic Endurance.
Chronic Endurance is a non-profit organization based in Texas dedicated to autoimmune disease awareness.
Health & Wellness
Hydeia Broadbent’s father launches GoFundMe following the activist’s death
Hydeia Broadbent passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, February 20th.
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.
Health & Wellness
Hydeia Broadbent, AIDS activist and motivational speaker, dies at 39
Hydeia Broadbent passed away at 39 from natural causes.
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 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.
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.
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.”
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.
-
Entertainment8 years ago
Bad Boy Reunion Concert :: Major Let Down! (Opinion)
-
News3 years ago
Uncle of Darnella Frazier, Teen Who Filmed George Floyd’s murder, Killed in Minneapolis Police Car Crash
-
Social Justice10 years ago
11 Facts About The Michael Brown Case
-
Black Excellence6 months ago
Unheard Voices Editor-in-Chief receives prestigious Women of Color STEM Award
-
Health & Wellness4 years ago
Meet 105-year-old runner Ida Keeling
-
Interviews5 years ago
All eyes on Rick Fouche
-
New Jersey14 years ago
Bad Police Behavior: Who is looking through your garbage?
-
Entrepreneur Spotlight14 years ago
Author Larry Wilson Jr : The voice of a new African American writer