Tag: Faith

Health(y) Positive Prevention Profiles Promotion

Former NBA star & champion Dwayne Wade raises awareness about Kidney Cancer

By Larrell Wilkinson on

by Larrell L. Wilkinson, PHAME-US.com

Dwyane Wade, the celebrated NBA Hall of Famer, recently opened up about his battle with kidney cancer on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Wade shared that his diagnosis came after he turned 40 and decided to undergo a comprehensive health check-up. With a family history of cancer—his father and grandfather both battled prostate cancer—he wanted to be proactive about his health. In December 2023, Wade underwent a procedure to remove part of his kidney, which was later confirmed to be cancerous.

On the talk show known for its humor and funny comedic bits, Wade shared the importance of knowing your body and getting “checked out” by a doctor. During an emotional appearance on the talk show Jenna & Friends, Mr. Wade shared more regarding his health, challenges, and the symptoms that led him to speak to his doctor who recommended additional tests. He also gave credit to his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, and his children for their support during his recovery.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists the following symptoms for kidney cancer, including:

  • Blood in the urine.
  • A lump or swelling in the kidney area or abdomen.
  • Lower back pain or pain in the side that doesn’t go away.
  • Feeling tired often.
  • Fever that keeps coming back.
  • Not feeling like eating.
  • Losing weight for no reason that you know of.
  • Something blocking your bowels.
  • A general feeling of poor health.

In 2024, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 14,390 people (9,450 men and 4,940 women) died from kidney cancer disease in 2024 and approximately 81,610 new cases of kidney cancer were diagnosed (American Cancer Society, n.d.). The CDC recommends several steps to lower the risk of kidney and renal pelvis cancers, including:

  • Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a risk factor, so staying active and eating a balanced diet can help.
  • Avoid smoking: Smoking increases the risk of kidney cancer, so quitting is highly beneficial.
  • Be cautious with certain chemicals: Especially trichloroethylene, which is used in some industrial jobs. Proper safety measures are essential if you’re exposed to it.

To learn more about Dwayne Wade and hear more about his life, perspectives on sports, fashion, music, and business, we can tune into his channel on YouTube, the WY Network. To learn more about kidney cancer, please visit the CDC web presence for kidney cancer and the American Cancer Society (ACS). To raise awareness and encourage others regarding their health journeys, please consider engaging with US on Facebook.

References
American Cancer Society. (n.d.). About Kidney Cancer. http://Www.cancer.org. Retrieved March 11, 2025, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/kidney-cancer/about.html
CDC. (2024, April 25). Kidney Cancer Basics. Kidney Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/kidney-cancer/about/index.html

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Advancement-oriented Encouragement Health(y) Hopeful Mission-fulfillment Positive Promotion Understanding (Insight & Wisdom)

Overcoming Life’s Challenges with a Positive and Healthy Attitude | Encouragement from James 1: 2-4

By phameuscampaign on
Photo by Eric Sanman on Pexels.com

Life is a journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected hurdles. As we traverse our own path, we encounter challenges that test our resilience, adaptability, and determination. These enduring challenges shape our character, help define our purpose, and propel us toward growth and development. Additionally, working through troubling circumstances helps to strengthen us emotionally, especially perhaps to endure greater responsibilities for the advancement of God’s kingdom. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (New International Version Bible, 2024, James. 1: 2-4).

Very interesting encouragement from the epistle of James. What if James is suggesting within the sacred text that as we endeavor to work through adverse circumstances negatively impacting us, we should keep a positive and healthy posture when dealing with these issues or problems? Perhaps this seems like a tall order to endure trials and keep a positive and healthy attitude, kind of like climbing a tall mountain.

First we must choose to climb the mountain (decide to address the hardship). Next, we prepare to climb the mountain (Prepping mindset to climb, trusting Him as the source of our strength). Then we climb (working to overcome the problem, building our faith and confidence with each step we take). Finally, we reach the mountain peak (at the top, we have a new sense of ourselves and our faith through this accomplishment).

Although navigating the steep terrain of a mountain can be daunting, reaching the peak can strengthen our sense of purpose, relationships, health, productivity, etc. No matter the mountain(s) (i.e., hardship, obstacle, problem, barrier, etc.) we are facing in our lives, with a view from the mountaintop, we can look back and reflect on the journey up the mountain – allowing for learning and new strength to be applied to the next climb. We become a more complete version of ourselves to be more useful in fulfilling our kingdom purpose. Still, in the climb, we must remain positive and healthy, emotionally. In this way, we endure.

We work to maintain a positive and healthy emotional well-being as we face any struggle. This means managing emotions well and having a sense of meaning, purpose, and supportive relationships (CDC, n.d.). Managing our emotions well, especially when experiencing hardships, includes:

  • Identifying, processing, and expressing emotions in healthy ways.
  • Knowing how to deal with uncertainty, stress, and change.
  • Being able to work through disagreements.
  • Looking for solutions to problems in useful ways.
  • Asking others for help and support.

Efforts to be remain positive and healthy during stressful and tough times may not be easy. That is why it is important to keep your sight towards the peak (look up) and keep moving in a forward (advancing) direction. Continue to climb, working ourselves out of any valley (low place, low feeling). For more encouragement, we hope you will connect with us in the comments area of this blogpost or on Facebook. Also, we encourage connecting with a good church that positively and healthfully nurtures spiritual and emotional well-being.

References
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (n.d.). About Emotional Well-Being. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-well-being/about/index.html

New International Version. (2024). YouVersion. https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PHP.4.13

New International Version. (2024). YouVersion. https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JAS.1.NIV

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Encouragement Family (PHAMILY) For the parents Hopeful PHAITH (Faith) Understanding (Insight & Wisdom)

Can God feel my pain?

By phameuscampaign on

By Mr. James Harris

Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com

One night we had to take our youngest son to the ER because he was complaining of stomach pains. He was only 3 years old so describing the depth of the pain, he could not do, all he could say was, “Mommy Daddy it hurt, and pointed to his stomach.”

We took him and began to examine him. The nurse said she needed to take some blood to see if it was something they needed to treat. I will never forget what happened next as the nurse pulled out the needle to draw blood from his little arm. Wanda said to me “I cannot watch this” and left the room. There I stood having to hold him down to allow them to take his blood. I will never forget the look in his eyes, as the tears began to fall. He could not understand how his father could allow someone to hurt him like that.

We think that our Heavenly Father has no feelings or understanding of the pain in our hearts or the things that we have to bear in our daily lives. I am not sure where that lie came from but it is a big lie from the pit of hell. Jesus sets the record straight in Matt. 6:26 (NIV) about how the Father cares for us.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

I love my sons but God loves them and you and I much more than we have the capacity to totally understand. Jesus, the son of God became the son of man, so we the sons of men could become sons of God. Our Father wanted His Family back.

Blessings, James Harris

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Advocacy Encouragement Hopeful PHAITH (Faith) Positive Profiles Solidarity (Commonality, Humanity) Understanding (Insight & Wisdom)

Reflecting on a tragic moment of civil rights history and feelings of yesterday

By Larrell Wilkinson on

Larrell L. Wilkinson | PHAME-US

Photo of window at the 16th Street Baptist Church and memorial plaque honoring the memory of the four young girls killed by the KKK bombing of the the church on September 15, 1963.

I knew yesterday was going to hit me hard. During the early weeks of September in Birmingham, AL, the annual commemorations begin. This year marks 60 years since the tragic death of four little girls and the injuries of several others, during the turbulent days of the Civil Rights movement. The City of Birmingham honored the victims of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963, during the week of remembrance.

Working in the Birmingham area, I often drive past the historic markers of the Civil Rights movement. I can see the A.G. Gaston Motel, the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and drive to Montgomery, AL to the Equal Justice Initiative & National Memorial, Dexter Ave. Church, the Rosa Parks Museum, and sacred sites of the movement. This year, 60 years after that fateful day of losing Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, & Cynthia Wesley, I know that America has made progress towards racial conciliation. I see it daily at my job, during worship occasions at my church, in visiting my children’s school, walking my neighborhood and patronizing businesses in my community. Still, exercising faith for a future that overcomes the actions of hatred manifested by individuals and groups that want to further efforts to separate us in the U.S., by race, by class, by the faith we practice, by any means that furthers their hate filled mission, that faith must be strong and resilient.

The actions of 60 years ago may seem like history to some but are very relevant to communities of people who have additional concerns when we go for a jog, shop at our community stores, or worship in our churches. Our families trade text messages to remind each other to “be safe”, “travel in groups”, “don’t travel at night”, “don’t get off the phone until you get home”, “don’t get gas at night”, “don’t stop at any stores tonight, we’ll order it later”, etc. Perhaps some if you are reading this, you might say, these sayings sound like useful tips. In contrast, others reading these words understand that these aren’t just tips, but necessary actions of life preservation for people feeling maliciously targeted due to their culture. For many, events that happened 60 years ago doesn’t feel like history, it feels like yesterday. Still, these groups of people press forward in hopes that their girls and boys will experience a society where the actions of a hateful few are no longer. Their hope is in a loving God, with the direction to love Him and to also love your neighbor as yourself (New International Version, Matt. 22: 34 – 40). It is in experiencing this form of solidarity that we can share in faith, hope, and love; love being the greatest of these (New International Version, Cor. 13:13).

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Advancement-oriented Encouragement Health(y) Hopeful PHAITH (Faith) Positive Profiles Promotion

Nick Cannon Stands Up Against Lupus

By phameuscampaign on

Ashley Peoples | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo: Instagram/nickcannon

Nick Cannon is known for many of his attributes with his long-standing career, in the areas of as acting, rapping, and his show “Wild N’ Out“. However, like many people he has been battling lupus since 2012. Lupus is a chronic auto-immune disease that causes the body to attack itself. Mr. Cannon was first hospitalized for lupus in 2012. He was experiencing kidney failure which is a known symptom.

On Christmas day 2016, Mr. Cannon was hospitalized again for a lupus flare up as stated by CNN. During his time in the hospital, he experienced many emotions and relied strongly on his faith. It is important to understand that Lupus is an auto immune disease that can cause a flare up randomly. Nick Cannon’s strength of pushing through and choosing to fight every day is admirable.  As stated by Mr. Cannon “I’m sitting here getting stronger like ‘Iron Man’” (Melas 2016). I believe his story can help people that are experiencing lupus or undergoing test to figure out if it is cause for their current health issues. Celebrities like Mr. Cannon are brave for sharing their personal health issues with the world.

References

Melas, C. (2016, December 28). Nick Cannon Gives Health Update after spending Christmas in the hospital. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/28/entertainment/nick-cannon-lupus-hospital/index.html

McLaughlin, K. (2012, March 10). Nick Cannon on the fight for his life. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2012/03/09/showbiz/nick-cannon-on-the-fight-for-his-life/index.html

Nick Cannon, lupus warrior. Lupus Foundation of America. (n.d.). https://www.lupus.org/personal-stories/nick-cannon-lupus-warrior

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Advancement-oriented Encouragement Mission-fulfillment PHAITH (Faith) Positive Solidarity (Commonality, Humanity) Understanding (Insight & Wisdom)

Reflecting on purpose when choosing close friends

By Larrell Wilkinson on

By Larrell L. Wilkinson | PHAME-US Campaign

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com

It has been said, “birds of a feather flock together.” I heard the wise saying growing up, especially in my teen years. I would see the saying on inspirational posters or hear it from family members and/or church leaders…particularly when being encouraged to stay away from individuals that may have been troublemakers. As the admonishment would go, “avoid hanging out with (insert first name) person, else you may end up in trouble like them. Remember, “birds of a feather flock together.” I know it seems so cliché, but coming back around to this quote many years later, I will acknowledge that the friends we have around us, particularly our closest friends, will more than likely influence the direction of our life. Our closest friends are likely a significant ingredient in our life’s recipe for successfully accomplishing our goals. So then questions arise like, “what goals do I have for my life” and “how should I determine who I let into my closest friend circle?

I recently had the opportunity to reflect on the process of choosing people in support of living out purpose while listening to the Bible. In Acts of the Apostles 1:12-21 (NLT), the apostles are meeting to chose another person to become a witness with them to the resurrection of Jesus. The apostles were looking for a person who would be trusted with leading in the Gospel and joining them in the innermost circle of the work to be done. Much like friends with different life experiences, the apostle’s relationships were lets say,…very human. And when it came to choosing from among people in their network, Acts of the Apostles 1:24 suggests that the men “prayed” about the hearts of the men to join them in the inner workings of the ministry. Hmmm, praying about who I should let into my closest network of people to join me in my most important works of life. Outside of my wife, I hadn’t much thought of that.

When it comes to making friends, we are told to associate higher (associating with people in a higher social status than your current position), choose friends with similar values and/or goals to your own, or choose friends that balance your strengths/weaknesses. All of this is good advice. Additionally, let’s acknowledge that in order for us and our flock to soar towards our purpose in life, it doesn’t hurt to pray about and for the people coming into or already in our lives. Perhaps we should consider talking through (vetting) and praying with trusted people already in our lives about individuals who may join our circle? Sound too intrusive? Sound too clique’ish? What if being intentional about the type of individuals joining us on our life’s journey and mission was a key ingredient to our success? I get it. Honestly, it feels a little uncomfortable to type. However, as I travel along the lifecourse, I’ve had many good and not so good experiences.

The best contributors to my continued evolution in life have been the ones that I know God has blessed me with encountering. God has placed a great variety of people from many different backgrounds and experiences in my life to help me along the way. Sometimes I prayed and the person came, other times I met the person through a program, in school, through work, etc. and later recognized that God sent them. Overall, we seldom go wrong when we have around us, people who are positive individuals, supportive of overall health, seeking to live out a positive purpose, and willing to work as a support with you and others toward common positive goals. We’ll show love to many people and will likely have a network of people around us. There are a lot of people out there from which to choose our closest friends, so in deciding, let’s choose to be intentional and consider the power of prayer as well. It doesn’t hurt and furthermore, the intentionality and prayer may be the difference in making decisions that have lasting benefit to our lives.

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R&B Singer Donell Jones Survives Crash after Falling Asleep While Driving

By LaTangellia Walker on

By Tan Walker | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

R&B singer, Donell Jones, considers himself a lucky man after he fell asleep behind the wheel of his Mercedes Benz and crashed into a ditch. The shocking incident took place on January 9th of 2023. 

Fortunately, the 49 year old did not suffer any major injuries, but he stated that this scary experience “taught him a valuable lesson” about driving while tired. Jones made an Instagram post that reads: “I fell asleep while driving yesterday and ended up in a ditch. I walk away with no injuries but I learned a valuable lesson, that if you’re tired just park the car cause this could’ve been bad.”

He also added that he was truly protected and continuously thanks God for wrapping his arms around him during the crash. He states “My love and loyalty is to you.”

Along with this gracious caption, Donell Jones shared a series of photos showing the aftermath of the accident. His silver Mercedes Benz was barricaded in a ditch by the side of the road.

Driving while tired or sleepy is just as dangerous as drunk driving. It decreases your attentiveness and alertness while on the road, it slows down your reaction time, and it affects your ability to make good decisions. In 2017, drowsy driving was involved in 91,000 crashes, resulting in 50,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths (CDC, 2023). 

Warning signs of drowsy driving include: 

  • Yawning or blinking frequently.
  • Trouble remembering the past few miles driven.
  • Missing your exit.
  • Drifting from your lane.
  • Hitting a rumble strip on the side of the road.

Have you experienced negative impacts of driving while tired? Share with us in the comments or on social media. Likewise, share any positive or healthy tips that you do to drive responsibly. Remember to always get enough sleep before taking the wheel, and drive alert to stay unhurt!

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 21). Drowsy driving: Asleep at the wheel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/features/drowsy-driving.html

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Weathering the Storm, Al B. Sure is Grateful for His Second Chance at Life

By LaTangellia Walker on

Tan Walker | UAB Community Health & Human Services

You may know the artist, Al B. Sure from his hits “Nite & Day”, “Off On Your Own Girl”, or as one of the collaborators in the song “U Will Know” by Black Men United. Today, Al B. is a 54-year-old award winning R&B singer who recently awoke from a 2-month coma. He explained to his fans that he lost feeling in the left side of his body while sitting in front of a computer screen and then fell over. However, he was able to call for help since his phone was in reach at the time of the incident. He then expressed that he encountered multiple surgeries, blood transfusions, and an organ transplant during his hospital stay. He also had pneumonia, became septic, and had his lymph nodes removed (Daniels, 2022). Despite all of the health challenges that he went through, he is extremely thankful to be “alive, alert, and gradually healing.” He also says that is “maintaining a positive mindset throughout this healing process” (Daniels, 2022).

Al B. has overcome many obstacles in his life in such a short time, yet he still remains positive through the storm. It can sometimes be hard for people to become bigger than their circumstances and exercise the strength, courage, and faith to make it through the challenging times. This is what is meant by being resilient.

Photo by Ann H on Pexels.com

Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands (APA, 2022). Part of being resilient is remaining positive and optimistic when experiencing challenges.

Here are a few tips to stay positive during hard times:

  • Acknowledge all of the good things in your life
  • Look at your situation from a different perspective
  • Focus on the things you can control
  • Spend time with positive people
  • Ask for help when you need it

No matter how hard a situation may be, it is important to stay positive and not let your circumstances define you!

References

American Psychological Association. (2022). APA Dictionary of Psychology (2nd ed.). Retrieved November 18, 2022, https://dictionary.apa.org/?_ga=2.261668622.261180337.1668820604-1749021350.1667872057.

Daniels, K. F. (2022, November 5). R&B singer Al B. sure! shares health update after 2-month coma and organ transplant. Al B. Sure! shares health update about 2-month coma ordeal. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-al-b-sure-health-update-two-month-coma-20221105-t3tayky6bnhrbb557go5cdmisq-story.html 

Kirsten Parker, M. F. A. (2021, November 16). 10 ways to keep positive during Hard Times. wikiHow. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Positive-During-Hard-Times#:~:text=How%20to%20Keep%20Positive%20During%20Hard%20Times%201,…%208%20Practice%20breathing%20meditation.%20…%20More%20items 

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Encouragement Health(y) Hopeful Mission-fulfillment Positive Understanding (Insight & Wisdom)

Journaling Can Benefit Your Mental Health

By LaTangellia Walker on

By Tan Walker | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

When you think of “journaling”, it is easy to picture a young girl locked away in her room writing about her high-school crush in a diary with a lock on it. Although this is an easy perception to have, it likely matches with the overall consensus for adults: journaling is for young people still trying to figure out their purpose in life and gossiping about the latest high school drama.

Believe it or not, many adults own a journal of some sort. Whether it’s a diary, a 3 subject notebook, notes taken on a smartphone, or just a plain sheet of paper and a pen: journaling has no required format. Journaling only requires that you share your thoughts openly. Effective journaling can help you meet your goals or improve your quality of life (Ackerman, 2022; Purcell, 2006). Although personal goals vary from person to person, they are almost always positive and journaling can be a process that support goal accomplishment.

Effective journaling can help you clear your head, reduce anxiety, and it can also help you connect your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors. But how exactly does dumping words on a page have an impact on your mental health?

Well, journaling has been proven to help people struggling with a mental illness or people who want to improve their mental health (Ackerman, 2022; Purcell, 2006). More specifically, effective journaling has been found to:

Boost your mood
Enhance your sense of well-being
Reduce symptoms of depression
Reduce symptoms of trauma and PTSD
Improve your work memory

Here are some following tips to ensure your journaling is effective:

Write in a space free of distractions
Journal at least once a day
Keep your journal private -“my eyes only”
Be in control of the topic and structure of your writing

Try journaling today! The process may take some time, but the benefits can support your health and quality of life. It can be fun! Whether you choose to write about how your day went or your current thoughts and emotions, the fun part is that you get to choose what your narrative will be!

Courtney E. Ackerman, M. A. (2022, September 8). 83 benefits of journaling for depression, anxiety, and stress. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022, from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/

Purcell, M. (2006). The Health Benefits of Journaling. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 10, 2022, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/000721

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Advocacy For young boys For young girls Hopeful

This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021

By Larrell Wilkinson on

I can remember hot Sundays and weekdays sitting in the pews of hot Mississippi churches listening to my grandmothers sing:

“This little light of mine,

I’m gonna let it shine, (Ohhh!)

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…”

If you have never heard a deep, southern gospel group of adults or even children sing this song, well, run to YouTube quickly and find some videos or download the music at Apple, Amazon, Google, etc. The song can be an uplift, whenever you need it most. I can still hear both of my grandmother’s voices in my inner ear, singing this song among the other church choir members. At one of my home churches in Mississippi, I can hear the choir singing under the direction of my aunt playing the piano and keying up the verses. I am telling you; the church was hot with the bright sun beams coming down on both of my family churches (in different parts of the State of Mississippi), but the song was “SANG” the same. I can still hear the passion in the voices of the choir, most of them older women: mothers, grandmothers, aunties, cousins, sisters, family…instructing us in the audience to let our light shine.

Most of the church was much older than me. My grandparents’ generation lived through World War II, Jim Crow Laws of the South, and the Civil Rights struggle and gains of the 20th Century. They combatted the ugliness of racism: burned down African American owned stores, fire bombed churches, challenges to perform the guaranteed civic duty of voting, discrimination, and racial bias in the Armed Services while fighting for the United States of America, inability to get farm loans, etc. because of the color of their skin. But through it all, they “let their light shine.” By law, it was determined that they would live as second-class citizens in the South, segregated as “separate and unequal” and through it all they “let their light shine.”

It didn’t matter if you were an older adult, adult, teenager, or child…in the church, listeners were told:

“Everywhere I go

I’m gonna let it shine

Everywhere I go

I’m gonna let it shine

Everywhere I go

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

And why? Why did (do) we have to shine the light? It is true that the Bible reads, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NIV). But I tell you more practically, my grandmothers and the leaders of their generation were singing more practically. They were teaching and encouraging, saying to combat White Citizen’s Council policies, redlining, Jim Crow Laws, lynching, unlawful arrests, racial profiling, and other violations of African Americans (& People of Color) civil rights, we must let our light shine. They did GOOD when faced with EVIL, demonstrated LOVE when given HATE, and offered FORGIVENESS (not forgetfulness) when presented MEANNESS, OPPRESSION, and OFFENSE. The choir knew what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Let’s choose to love today and every day, loving our neighbor (others) as we do ourselves (Mark 12:31, NIV). Love to all of you and thank you for your leadership Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. May we continue to let our light shine!

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