By Gail H.M. Brown, Ph.D.,
Contributing Writer ,
Six years ago, Frederica Angel Meeks of Canton, Miss., was fighting for her life.
Diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2011, Meeks underwent multiple treatments, procedures, and heart devices as her heart condition worsened, and eventually she underwent a heart transplant on Jan. 24, 2020, that saved her life.
Today, she is using her testimony to encourage women to take their heart health seriously — a message she shared Friday, Feb. 6, with reporters during the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women observance at The District at Eastover in Jackson.
And, recently, she shared that she spoke Saturday, Feb. 7, at Rogers Park in Canton to the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Central Mississippi Chapter for their Go Red Heart Walk.
“I am a six-year heart transplant recipient of the University of Mississippi Medical Center,” Meeks told The Mississippi Link during the Eastover event. “And I wanted to come out and support Go Red for Women.”
Asked what she would advise women about the importance of heart health awareness, she replied: “Go to the doctor; get your heart checked; just get your whole body checked, just scanned because you never know what’s going on inside of your body.”
Marketing Communication Director Mary Brinson of the Jackson American Heart Association said, “Today is National Wear Red Day, which is an initiative which brings awareness to the plight of women and cardiovascular disease!”
The event, held from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6, as part of the American Heart Association national Go Red for Women campaign, which raises awareness that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease accounts for about 1 in every 5 female deaths nationwide. The American Heart Association reports that nearly sixty million women in the U.S. are living with some form of heart disease, yet many remain unaware of their risk.
Brinson reiterates that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women “above breast cancer, above car accidents, above anything.”
“So, for American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day, we wanted to partner with The District to have a full-free family event where we could come out, listen to music, get their face painted, most importantly learn hands-on in CPR,” said Brinson.
“We know that one in three women will be subject to heart disease during their lifetime, so what we are trying to do is to encourage women to know their numbers, know what your blood sugar is; know your cholesterol. We encourage women to get their blood pressure check; just to live your healthiest life.”
Nationally, health experts stressed that risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and smoking significantly increase a woman’s likelihood of developing heart disease. They also emphasized that symptoms in women can differ from men, often appearing as fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea or discomfort in the back or jaw rather than the stereotypical chest pain.
For Meeks, the message is deeply personal. Now a sixth-year transplant survivor, she hopes her testimony will inspire women to prioritize regular screenings and to advocate for themselves when something feels wrong. She keeps a photo of her heart donor with her all the time.
Below is an excerpt from Meeks’ heart story posted on the board of UMMC:
“… on January 23rd I received a call informing me that I had a heart (suitable donor) to come available which I only had one hour to get to the hospital to be prepped and ready to receive my new heart.
“This would be the best day of my life, knowing that my life was purposely about to change for the best. January 24th, I received the gift of life which I am highly grateful for from beautiful donor Brandi. I will forever hold her heart in my heart and take care of it to the best of my ability. All of this was possible because of God; I will always and forever thank Him for what He is doing in my life in the present and the near future.”
Meeks shared with The Mississippi link that she had had the opportunity to travel out West to meet her donor’s family and to allow them to listen to Brandi’s heartbeat.
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