By Gerri Miller
EAN Staff Writer
The primary fundraiser for this venture is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 6. A fashion show will be held at the Elms of Coosada. The event showcases the clothing line of five fashion designers, including designs by Duncan. See ticket information below.
LaTonya Duncan says that when people think of heart disease, many think it is a disease of senior citizens and this misconception leads younger people to believe it can’t happen to them.
The 47-year-old mother of four children knows the truth because she has been battling the disease since she was 22-years-old.
“I first learned that I had high blood pressure 23 years ago when I was pregnant with my oldest son and my journey manifested from there,” LaTonya said. “I have also been diagnosed with an enlarged heart, Mitral Valve Prolapse and in 2016 I experienced a mini-stroke and Bell’s Palsy in 2019. I am thankful that God has still blessed me to be amongst the living.”
If it wasn’t bad enough that LaTonya was suffering from heart disease, her husband Reginald Duncan got a shock when he suffered a series of strokes. “Having three strokes in one day is not a joke. I didn’t know that I had any issues with heart disease because, for a whole month, I ignored the signs,” Reginald said.
LaTonya decided it was time to raise awareness of heart disease. She raised money for the American Heart Association for six years with the fashion show. Two years ago, she ventured out on her own and created an organization she named 1Heart.
“1Heart transitioned from paragraphs on pages of journals about my life to what I now believe is the formation of a mission I was destined to create and undertake,” she said.
The group works to educate the public and also raises money to help two people in the River Region with heart disease. 1Heart pays for the medication and copays up to $1,500 for one year for the two recipients through a pre-paid card that can be used at a local drug store.
The primary fundraiser for this venture is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 6. A fashion show will be held at the Elms of Coosada. The event showcases the clothing line of five fashion designers, including designs by Duncan.
Duncan held a model call earlier in the year and selected 19 models who have bodies that are of different shapes and sizes. “I think everyone should be a model,” LaTonya said. “It all depends on your confidence level and your personality.”
LaTonya said there will be nurses, fitness instructors and others to educate the audience about heart disease, heart health and the importance of diet and exercise. There will be vendors at the show selling everything from candles to makeup, jewelry, shirts and clothing. Grant recipients will share their life-changing stories.
“We are basically trying to educate the public about the dangers of heart disease and how they can change their lifestyle to help avoid getting it,” LaTonya said. We are trying to save lives one heart at a time.”
LaTonya said she has sold 175 tickets so far and tickets are still available. She said social distancing guidelines will be in place due to COVID-19 concerns. Tickets are $20 general admission and $30 for VIP seats, which includes special seating, goody bags and one free drink. Food will be served and there will be a cash bar.
The fashion show is 1 to 3 p.m. and there will be time for food, photos and browsing from 3 to 4 p.m. You can purchase tickets through Paypal- 1HeartofHearts@gmail.com
