Former NFL running back Tevin Coleman and his wife Akilah shared a heartbreaking health update about their 6-year-old daughter Nazaneen, who lives with sickle cell disease. In a video posted on social media, the Colemans revealed that Nazaneen had been placed on a ventilator and needed assistance to breathe. Akilah praised her husband’s ability to remain calm in the face of the devastating news, while she struggled to cope with her daughter’s health complications.
Nazaneen recently had a stint with a ventilator and received her first blood transfusion as she struggled to breathe on her own. Akilah shared her emotional reaction to her daughter’s condition, saying that watching her child fight to breathe was an “unexplainable” feeling. Coleman had previously opened up about his daughter’s health and revealed that he experienced symptoms of sickle cell disease during his time with the Indiana Hoosiers football team. He didn’t initially disclose his daughter’s condition to the public, as he wanted to protect her.
Coleman was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft and had a successful career with the team, rushing for over 2,300 yards in four seasons. He played in the 2017 Super Bowl with the Falcons and later joined the San Francisco 49ers, appearing in the 2020 Super Bowl. Coleman also had a brief stint with the New York Jets before returning to the 49ers in 2022. Throughout his football career, Coleman has been a strong advocate for sickle cell awareness and research.
The recent update on Nazaneen’s health has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by children living with sickle cell disease. The illness affects the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells, leading to complications such as fatigue, pain, and difficulty breathing. Families like the Colemans are often forced to navigate complex medical treatments and care plans to manage the disease and improve their loved one’s quality of life.
The Colemans’ willingness to share their daughter’s health journey publicly highlights the importance of raising awareness about sickle cell disease and supporting families facing similar experiences. The emotional toll of watching a child struggle with a serious illness can be overwhelming, and having a supportive community can make a significant difference in coping with the challenges. Nazaneen’s resilience and strength in the face of her health struggles serve as an inspiration to others battling similar conditions.
As the Coleman family continues to navigate Nazaneen’s health challenges, their story serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting and advocating for individuals living with sickle cell disease. Tevin and Akilah Coleman’s courage in sharing their daughter’s journey sheds light on the impact of the disease on families and underscores the need for continued research and awareness efforts to improve outcomes for those affected by sickle cell disease.
