Hereditary Amyloidosis (hATTR)
Awareness and Early Detection
PREFACE – THE ROAD TRIP
After a fulfilling 12-year career in the NFL, I began experiencing symptoms that didn’t make sense. It took years, countless doctors, and finally, a diagnosis: Hereditary ATTR (ATTRv) amyloidosis. But by then, the signs had been there all along.
Hereditary ATTR amyloidosis is a health condition that runs in families. It affects many people, including those of West African descent. With ATTRv, a protein made by the body can become unstable and build up over time where it doesn’t belong. Over time, this can affect different parts of the body, including the heart, nerves, hands, feet and digestive system.
That’s why knowing your family health history and recognizing possible warning signs can be so important. What may seem like separate, everyday health problems could sometimes be connected.
This disease has touched more than just me, with an impact on my family. My older brother had a heart transplant. His son passed away in 2020 at 35 years old. He had sickle cell and amyloidosis. One of my younger brothers has all of the symptoms and has a pacemaker and defibrilator. And others in my family are showing the same symptoms. This isn’t rare to us – it’s REAL. And it’s happening to so many others who don’t even know they carry the gene.
We’re here to raise awareness about amyloidosis, especially in communities that are often overlooked. We want to help people catch this disease early – before it’s too late. Because with the right knowledge and care, lives can be saved. Together, we work tirelessly to educate, advocate, and support our community, ensuring that no one has to face amyloidosis alone.
THE END GAME: AWARENESS AND EARLY DETECTION
