Miss Universe Jamaica 2011 Shakira Martin passed away peacefully in a hospital in Florida on August 2, 2016. Shakira's close friend, Laura Butler confirmed her tragic case to the public after she died in the hospital. Laura is deeply devastated by her friend's passing away at a young age. Laura said that she is a very cheerful woman with a kind heart and understanding personality while she was still alive. She was 30 years old.
Shakira died due to the complication of Sickle cell anemia, which is a blood-related disorder affecting the red blood cells of the body. Miss Martin was on a life-support for several days before eventually giving her body up to the creator this 2nd of August, 2016. Martin's family and friends were grieving on her death, following her battle in a life-threatening scenario that affected her life, career, and health. The whole Martin family members are now setting up for Shakira's funeral services after her body will be departing from the hospital.
Former Miss Universe Jamaica 2011 Shakira Martin |
Shakira's mother, Andrea Hall stated that Sickle cell disease should not be taken for granted as it is a very serious disease. As based on her social media account in Facebook that Jamaicans, Americans, and other race should seriously test themselves for a hereditary blood disease test. If your parents or family have had a history of the disease, it is better for you to see your doctor before you will be the next victim of the disease.
Andrea Hall praised her daughter for being an advocate for Sickle Cell anemia. Shakira was an active member of a Sickle Cell foundation in Jamaica, which helps citizens suffering from Sickle cell disease. However, Shakira is no longer present to further continue her advocacy for the Sickle cell foundation to push through with their advocacy. Hundreds of members from the Sickle cell foundation in Jamaica pledged condolences to Shakira, her family, and relative for their loss of a woman who is indeed an ambassadress of a certain humanitarian cause.
Shakira's video tribute during Miss Universe 2011 interview
Prior to being a pageant representative for Jamaica, Shakira was a pre-school teacher, who has a passion for educating children to empower their minds and skills to have promising leaders for the next generation.
Shakira was also known as a commercial model for several brands featured in magazines, television commercials, and print media. Martin flew Canada, Haiti, USA, Brazil, and other parts of Latin America to promote her endorsed products as well as promoting Jamaican brands overseas.
About Sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disease. It is a group of red blood cell disorder that are inherited from an infected parent. This can be your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or to other past generations.
Patients suffering from a sickle-cell disease have a variety of sickled red blood cells. From the normal semi-donut-shaped appearance, sickle red blood cells appear letter C. All hemoglobins are affected when a person is suffering from a sickle cell anemia.
When red blood cells are sickled, these abnormal cells piles up to a certain part of an organ, clogging the flow of blood products. A severe case of sickle cell anemia just like the case of Shakira causes multiple organ failures as well as having a very low oxygen saturation to the blood that is very dangerous to other vital organs of the body.