FVSU Blog

“By Any Greens Necessary: A Revolutionary Guide for Black Women Who Want to Eat Green, Get Healthy, Lose Weight, and Look Phat” is an excellent resource written by Tracye Lynn McQuirter.

This book looks at the perception of eating green in the African-American community. In the introduction, McQuirter discusses the chronic diseases that are faced by Americans, in general, and African-American women, in particular. The nutritionist examines chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arthritis then shares how adopting a diet consisting mainly of fruits and vegetables helps women care for their bodies.

McQuirter, who fills her plate with healthful foods made from plants instead of animals, gives a detailed explanation of her nutritional journey which began when she heard comedian and social activist Dick Gregory speak about being a vegetarian. She was so inspired by Gregory’s words that she began to reflect on her own eating habits and general well being. It took several attempts, but eventually McQuirter was successful in her goal of becoming a vegan.

The chapters of this amazing book cover various topics with intriguing titles such as: “Where Do you Get your Protein Myth”, “A Chicken Wing and a Prayer”, “Fishing for Trouble”, “The Truth about Carbs”, and finally, “How to Transition to Vegan Foods”. The balance of the book also includes great vegetarian dishes and a comprehensive shopping list for stocking your fridge. An added bonus feature is the inspirational stories from African-American sisters who embraced this healthy lifestyle.

I loved this book for so many reasons. It took me back to my early twenties, a period of my life when I was vegetarian. I remembered how I felt so much better back then. After reading this 3text cover to cover, I am motivated to go back to this lifestyle.

By Any Greens Necessary reiterated that fact that black women are queens and queens should feed their bodies with great treasures, not fatty foods that clog our arteries.

I have to thank my beloved cousin, Barbara, who gave me this book. It changed my life.  I can’t wait to embrace this wonderful way of feeding my body. See you soon, in the veggie section at a Kroger near you. (Huge Smile)

~ Dawn

Dr. Dawn DeVeaux is Fort Valley State University’s student ombudsman.

Larry and Sharon Oldham Hardaway, newlyweds of three and a half years have a deeper connection than most married couples. You can even say their union is a match made in heaven. Larry, a successful attorney, was diagnosed with kidney failure six months after taking the vows and was immediately placed on dialysis. The news was heartbreaking for the couple, but it wasn’t unexpected. For ten years, Larry struggled with uncontrolled, high-blood pressure–one of the leading causes of kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

For Sharon, it wasn’t the first time she faced a situation where a loved one needed a transplant. Her half sister was diagnosed with ESRD a few years ago, and needed a kidney. Without hesitation, the Lakeland, Fl resident volunteered to be tested to see if she qualified as a donor. During the last stages of testing, her sister got an unexpected call about the availability of a new kidney and a successful surgery was performed on Thanksgiving Day.

Sharon was the first to volunteer when Larry needed a donor. After testing, doctors determined that her kidney was a perfect match. As the surgery date approached, medical complications surfaced and were addressed. A new transplant date is now scheduled for September.

Sharon and Larry’s story inspired this blog, as well as my work as a volunteer for Lifelink Foundation, a non-profit community service organization dedicated to education and the recovery of life-saving and life-enhancing organs and tissue for transplantation therapy. On a recent trip to West Palm Beach, FL, I spoke to several friends about the subject. I didn’t know all three had a loved one on dialysis and in need of an organ transplant. With the remaining space I have, I’d like to dispel some common myths associated with organ transplantation in hopes that more African Americans will step up to become donors.

Myth #1: Doctors will not try to save my life if they know I want to be a donor.Fact: No. There are strict legal guidelines that must be carefully followed before brain death can be declared and organs removed.
Myth #2: I’m too young to be a donor.
Fact: Anyone, regardless of age can be considered a potential organ donor.
Myth #3: Minorities should refuse to donate because organ distribution discriminates by race.
Fact: Organs are matched by factors, including blood and tissue typing, which can vary by race. Patients are more likely to find matches among donors of their same race or ethnicity.
Myth #4: My family will be charged for donating my organs.
Fact: Donation costs are not the responsibility of the donor’s family or estate.
Myth #5: If I chose to be a living donor, the surgery is painful and the recovery is long.
Fact: Laparoscopic surgical technique is noninvasive and takes a lesser time. The incision is minimal and the recovery time for the donor is reduced. After the recovery period, the live donor can resume a normal life in a month. Most transplant candidates don’t explore living donation because they don’t know it’s an option.

Family, friends, their pastor and church are offering endless support and prayers to the Hardaways. “I think their story can save lives. The saying is true. Knowledge is power. With new information about what’s available today, our family is expecting a great outcome,” said Vickie Oldham, Sharon’s sister and FVSU’s Marketing and Communications Director.

Sharon eagerly encourages other potential live organ donors. “Do all you can to be supportive of that loved one who is going through, and take care of yourself as well.”

Christine Caesar is a Administrative Assistant with the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Global activist, Malaak Compton-Rock has written a well-crafted book about her desire to share the power of volunteer service on the local, national and international stage. “If it takes a Village, Build One” is excellent resource for young people who have a passion to serve the world.

In this book, Malaak explains how she was introduced to a life of service through her mother’s example and shares stories about projects they volunteered with during in her earlier life including door to door canvassing during political campaign seasons, attending rallies, and working with Non Government Association (NGO).

As a child, Malaak was told, “If you have an opportunity to help, then you must help.” While attending Howard University she was involved in several community service initiatives including the mentoring a young girl, an experience that still has an impact on her life.

As a young professional, Malaak moved to New York City, where she began an impressive career in marketing and business. Her position afforded her the opportunity to work with several performers including, her husband of many years, comedian, Chris Rock.

The couple is known to be extremely passionate about giving their time and efforts to worthy causes. The author writes in her book that she and her husband are committed to social justice, especially issues regarding women and children.

This work confirmed several things for me as a reader; most importantly, the importance of giving of one’s self to the global stage. As we begin another academic year along with countless colleges and universities throughout this nation, I strongly suggest that we as a people, especially young people, read this powerful text. College students are more than just scholars, they are global citizens.

This book teaches readers how to how to raise funds, write public service announcements, and to take their passions and use them to make a huge impact in a very difficult and complex world.

~ Dr. Dawn DeVeaux, Ombudsperson for Fort Valley State University

By the time you read this you have hopefully indulged in a three day fun-fest of bar-b-que, fireworks and relaxation. The 4^th of July is quite possibly one of the most anticipated holidays of the summer and one that always delivers on its promises of a beautiful days end complete with drifts of smoke left in the wake of spectacular pyrotechnical displays known as “fireworks”. While most people are familiar with the Declaration of Independence; how often does anyone really stop and think of the true meaning of this document? If you ask most people to recite the beginnings of the statement, they might say something along the lines of: “We hold these truths to be self evident…” and they would be WRONG.  If one examines the Declaration of Independence, the first words are:

“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

If one examines these words they pack an even bigger punch than the beginning that you thought was correct. Our founding fathers recognized that in order to move forward, one sometimes had to break ties that once seemed irrevocable in order to truly experience equality and to grow. And is this not what millions of people have done since? Consider if you will the immigrants who first stepped onto Ellis Island from countries far and wide beginning in 1892 bringing with them a vast array of cultures, personalities, blood and sweat as they joined with those native born to continue to raise this country up to be a nation of hope, prosperity and power. It is as much for these reasons as any other (that comes to mind) that America has stayed the course, strong and still sought after as a home to arrive at after a long journey; a journey during which they dissolved past political alliances, assumed their station of equality alongside like minded individuals and embraced life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So in the wake of the afterglow of the last fireworks and the rumbling of overstuffed bellies, let us not forget all that have come before us paving the way so that we could march forward “One nation Under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all…..

~Dr. Oreta Samples is a veterinary technologist at Fort Valley State University

As a volunteer for Lifelink Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the community about organ donation, I have the privilege and opportunity to participate in many activities promoting donor awareness within my community; whether it’s a heath fair or speaking to a room full of high school children.  Since I began volunteering three years ago, I’ve come to the realization that the African-American community is not fully aware of the impact an organ donor has on someone else’s life.

The thought of being a donor is usually overlooked until it hits close to home.  This was the case for Grace, an African-American retail business manager.  In 2004, the 33-year-old from Georgia was diagnosed with kidney failure and was immediately put on dialysis.

Of course her life changed overnight.  She thought to herself, “Oh my God, I’m dying; I’m too young to die”.  In addition to coping with health issues, Grace and her husband had a difficult time adjusting to lifestyle changes when she was forced to quit her job.

Just imagine having the sense of  normalcy turned upside down?   Although dialysis kept her alive, she felt she had no life.  Nearly two years later, Grace was evaluated to qualify for the UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) list. Test results showed that an auto-immune disease called sarcoidosis had damaged her kidneys and scarred the liver so badly that it was irreparable. Grace was told by doctors that she only had a few months to live.

In January 2006, only four months after being placed on the UNOS list, Grace received the liver and kidney she needed to survive and appropriately coined names for both organs: “Grace” and “Mercy”.

If it hadn’t been for an organ donor, Grace wouldn’t have gotten a second chance at life.

Many people think that something like that could never happen to them, but it can. Sickness and death is no respecter of age, class, status, race, or individuality. African-Americans must educate themselves about the organ donation process.  As of June 24, 2010, over 3.5 million people around the world have registered to be donors in the United States.  The overall minority registration is 24%.

Make a decision today.  Give the gift of life and leave a legacy behind.  For more information and facts about how to become an organ donor, visit: http://www.donatelifegeorgia.org.

~Christine Caesar is the administrative assistant in the Office of Marketing and Communications