Featured photo: Dr. Tiffany Quinn-organizer, Dominique Strong-assistant, Nurse Tarnesa Martin-presenter, Flint School Superintendent Pastor Kevelin Jones-Host, Lady Tanisha Jones-Host, Dr. Darcele Robinson-Zeta and Keisha Wash-Zeta at the recent “Our Heart Matters” event at Bountiful Love C.O. G.I.C.
Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites. African Americans may carry a gene that contributes to higher instances of both high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, statistics show African Americans are disproportionately affected by obesity.
“Our Heart Matters,” an event held Sunday, Feb. 18 at Bountiful Love C.O. G.I.C., was aimed at changing that reality for members of the local community.
The annual event began after on May 4, 2019, when Dr. Tiffany Quinn, who attends Bountiful Love, experienced the heartache of losing her son, Kourtney Jones, to heart disease at a young age. She contacted Nurse Tarnesa “T” Martin in hopes she could prevent others from the heartache of losing their loved ones at any age.
Martin was a special guest who spoke during the recent service about why the heart matters and shared about her own experience during February, American Heart Month.
Martin said the heart is the muscle at the center of the body’s circulation system, pumping blood around the body as the heart beats. The blood sends oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body and carries away unwanted carbon dioxide and waste products. It also circulates hormones and other essential substances to different parts of the body. It controls its rhythm and speed.
Martin pointed out a person can get another kidney since they have two, and they can get another lung. However, she stressed each person only has one heart.
Martin shared that the following are risk factors for heart disease:
- Overweight or obese
- Smoking
- High sodium diets
- Drinking alcoholic drinks more than twice a day
- Mature age
- History of high blood pressure or diabetes
- And stress
“Your body’s response to stress is supposed to protect you, but if it’s constant it could harm you.”
Martin shared that between one and two months prior to the event, she went to the doctor. When the doctor took her blood pressure, it showed Martin herself had high blood pressure. Martin believed there was a mistake and asked the doctor to change the cuff. When her blood pressure continued to be high, she refused to take the blood pressure medication, with her reason being her knowledge of God being a healer.
“And I’m out here educating, telling people to take the blood pressure meds. But the blood pressure meds was sometimes having some signs and symptoms. They said ‘you didn’t give it time enough to work’ So, I started back taking my blood pressure med. My doctor said: ‘It’s a good thing that you started back taking your blood pressure med because had you not started taking your blood pressure med, that problem that was hypertension that could have been fixed would have went into kidney disease. So, now I’m telling you, I know that God is able to do exceeding above all that we ask. But he’s also asking us to prioritize our health and prioritize the organs that he has blessed us with.”
Quinn told the Courier after the event that community members have told her they feel the event is worth attending each year, even if they don’t attend Bountiful Love.
Martin shared it meant a lot to her when people in the community text message her, telling her their blood pressure is being managed and showing her they are following up on her suggestions.
“One of things that this church is trying to do is make sure that we are connecting with our community, and that we are helping others with social-emotional supports,” said Pastor Kevelin B. Jones Jr. “Having the heart event was a big step in the right direction. We know that if we continue to partner with community partners like we did for this event that great things are going to happen for the people of God as a whole.”
Martin became a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. in 2023, which helped make the event possible.
Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. Flint Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Flint Chapter and Imperial Men of Phi Eta Psi were all supporters of the event.
“Today the Zetas wanted to wear red to support the Deltas – because they wear red; we wear royal blue,” said Martin on the day of the event.
She added: “But we wore red to support ‘Nurse T,’ who is a community outreach nurse. The Sigma brother joined us today as a surprise for support. I think the more people we get the message out to, especially statistically talking about African Americans and the heart awareness piece…To honor my son’s memory, who died unexpectedly due to heart disease, I’d like to raise awareness centered on healthy heart awareness.”
