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As motivation for African Americans to engage in good health choices, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Goshen Lounge was transformed into an informational and recreational area of sorts, complete with yoga, double-dutch and strength training exercises. 

SIUE Black Heritage Month events continued Monday, Feb. 11 with a Health Awareness Fair. 

“We are also calling it our Health is Wealth Fair,” said Kimberly Pope, graduate assistant for the SIUE Campus Activity Board (CAB) Black Heritage Month committee. “You don’t have anything, if you don’t have good health. We worked with SIUE’s Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP) to bring awareness of different diseases that impact the African American community, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and lupus.” 

Trenton Banks, a sophomore majoring in computer management information systems, said his grandmother has diabetes. “I hope I don’t get it,” said Banks. “I play a lot basketball, and I stay active.” 

A prescription for African Americans as it relates to diabetes. “More of us should take diabetes more seriously, and encourage one another to get and keep active,” he added. 

For Ashley Hawkins, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, she wants to spread awareness about lupus. 

“I was diagnosed with lupus at age 16,” said the 27-year-old Chicago native, who volunteers with the Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter. “I started having headaches. I stopped eating, and I couldn’t sit in a lighted room without my head hurting.” 

After a number of medical tests were performed, Hawkins received a lupus diagnosis. She was initially given the following instructions: No more sports. No college outside of Chicago. No children. 

This is Hawkins’ second time enrolling at SIUE. She is the mother of two children, Kaleb, 6; and Aniah, 8. Both children were born with medical complications that were corrected. 

“It’s been a long, hard road. I do have kidney disease, but they told me that I would have major problems with my kidneys when I was 16,” said Hawkins, “But I keep going. I manage my meds, get rest and listen to my body.”

“It’s important for African Americans to learn more about this disease,” she said. “Someone could be walking around with lupus and not know it. You do not want to find out about the disease at the last minute. You want to catch it early, like I did.” 

“Lupus will not define me,” added Hawkins. “I expect to live to see my great grandchildren.” 

Representatives from campus and local health agencies attended the fair to share information, including:

• SIUE Student Nurse Achievement Program (SNAP)
• SIUE Campus Recreation
• SIUE Counseling Services
• SIUE Health Services
• SIUE Prevention Education and Advocacy Center (PEACe)
• American Red Cross
• A Precious Organization (Cure Sickle Cell Disease) of Alton
• Call for Help Sexual Assault of East St. Louis
• Illinois HIV Care Connect
• Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter 

For information on upcoming Black Heritage Month events, visit “Our Powerful Purpose.” 

Photos:
L-R: Trenton Banks, a sophomore majoring in computer management information systems; and Kamaron Williams, a freshman business major, enjoy strength training at the SIUE Health Awareness Fair. 

Kimberly Pope is the graduate assistant for the SIUE Campus Activity Board (CAB) Black Heritage Month committee. 

L-R: Rosemary Chustak, patient services manager at the Lupus Foundation of America, Heartland Chapter; and volunteer Ashley Hawkins, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering.