I notified my doctor, a test was ordered then I received a mechanical valve. Four days later I developed heart blockage. The doctor informed my family that I would need a pace maker to help my heart function. A year later, my third surgery took place: pace maker revision. My fourth surgery took place on December 21st, 2015; I received new batteries in my pace maker.
Left: Kimberly with Terri Guy and Arletta Cunningham
I’ve travelled locally & out of state advocating for the uninsured & sharing my story of survival; at the American Heart Association’s Lobby Day: Washington, D.C.(in 2013); You’re The Cure Advocate, American Heart Association’s National Center: Dallas, Texas(2015): Recently selected: National Volunteer Ambassador: newly established Heart Valve Ambassador Team; Georgia State Capital, Gwinnett County Board Of Commissioners, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting, churches, etc.
I attended the Go Red For Women Wellness Expo and Luncheon on Friday, February 12th, then traveled to Snellville Ga, to create my collage (third section) with the help of my friends, Terri Guy & Arletta Cunningham, T.W. Brisoce Park Facility Coordinator and Staff plus a group of volunteers from Brookwood High School Beta Club.
The purpose of the collage; to celebrate my recovery from heart valve & three pace maker surgeries, promote heart awareness & honor every woman, man & child affected by heart/stroke disease.
I’m happy to report over 1,500 hearts were collected from my family, neighbors, friends, area schools, churches and non-profit groups.
2016 Heart Collage Participants
Nancy Burgett and Friends
Emory nurses
Kimberly Miller & Family
Frontera Staff
The Norwood Family
The Al-Ghani Family
Cynthia Smith
Linda Turner
Jamesha Sims
The Baker Family
Bagheri Family
Brown Family
Regina and friends.
Steele Family
Sherri Thomas,
Amanda Mann & friends
The Fielding Family
Gwinnet Pediatrics
Georgia Tech Students
Grayson Rams 8th Grade Cheer Squad
Kim Cabness and Friends
Essence Women Conference; Dawn Causey
Margaret Winn Holt Elementary School : Our Girls are Pearls: Hill , Abraham , Monica Ball , Lesline Moore ,
Lawrenceville Senior Center
Make a Heart for Health Art Project/ The Lona Gallery
Jack Rabbit Family
The Carey Family
Gwinnett Medical Team & Marketing Dept.
Pediatric Cardiology Services/Gwinnett Medical Center
Gwinnet Alumnae Chapter & Stone Mountain/Lithonia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Shiloh Gems and Eagle 7: Mother Daughter Tea Party
Piedmont Medical Team
Gwinnet Black Business Guide Networking Event
U R Destined for Success : Marketing & Events Consultants.
AHA Volunteers
Painting for a Purpose community event
Dacula Elementary school: Dedra walker
Couch Middle School: Junior Beta Club
The Mitchell Family
Lift Up Atlanta; Christmas Extravaganza ;
Grayson High School; Carissa Griffin
J.C. Magill Elementary School; Lori Ferguson, Megan Tate, and Beverly Elrod
Lawrenceville Elementary: Our Girls Are Pearls
Diamonds In Development : Nicole Steele, Founder and Executive Director.
McDaniel Family
Couch Middle School : 8th Grade Class
Tate Family
The Bell family (Annie, Michael Sr, Amber and Michael Jr)
The Gunn family (Eva, Tori, KJ and Orlando) of Killeen, TX
Jenkins Elementary School:
Mrs. Sullivan
Ms. Harris
Ms. Branch
Ms. Pak
Ms. Stoudenmire
Ms. Weese
Mr. Moon
The Knight Family
Ladies N Stride
Northeast Georgia Health System/ Nurses
Kids Harbor of Old Peachtree: Daycare
Nancy Read , Loy Augustus and Ashley Fielden
YMCA Afterschool at Bay Creek Elementary
Our Girls Are Pearls; Lawrenceville Elementary School; Yolanda Arnold
KinderCare Day Care Center: Lawrenceville, GA
Kids R Kids Academy: Lawrenceville, Ga
Gwinnett County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Annual Taboo Tea and Women’s Health Summit –
New Mercies Christian Church: 226 Children’s Ministry:Discovery Worship Students :Senior Pastor: Jesse Curney III: Minister Joshua Scruggs: Director of Student Ministries
Plesanthill Baptist Church; Children’s Ministry: KIDS 4 Christ: Senior Pastor: Dr. Ronald D. Dunnigan
Brookwood High School: Best Club: Arletta Cunningham, Carmel Silver, Deborah Browning, John Newman, Dru Ulloa & Katie Willis.
