The National Blood Clot Alliance is pleased to welcome Arshell Brooks-Harris to its Board of Directors.
Arshell is a homemaker, mother of four children (Leschel Brooks preceded in death), one step-daughter, four grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, residing in Rosedale, Queens with her husband, Andre, of nearly 20 years. Arshell is deeply committed to her faith and recently joined The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church.
In April of 2016, Arshell became an above-the knee-amputee, due to Necrotizing Fasciitis, a flesh-eating virus, and was in a coma for almost two months. Medically, she wasn’t supposed to live, but she states that God had plans for her that she could never fathom. Arshell is still learning how to walk again after a few setbacks, including a rotation flap procedure, but remains positive and even resolved to write a book about her prolonged recovery and healing process.
Arshell’s first born child, Leschel, succumbed to a fatal pulmonary embolism (PE, or blood clot in her lung) caused by a deep vein thrombosis (DVT, or blood clot in her leg), that developed after a fractured ankle. Leschel’s untimely passing caused Arshell and her family gut-wrenching pain, especially with the knowledge that blood clots can often be prevented. Arshell vowed that her daughter’s passing would not be in vain and that she would educate herself and bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of blood clots in hopes that nobody else would have to go through the pain of losing a loved one. Arshell has already hosted two blood clot awareness events in downtown Brooklyn, New York on behalf of NBCA, and has joined NBCA’s Thrombassador Program to continue sharing life-saving information across her local community.
Before her daughters passing, Arshell had never heard of blood clots (PE) causing death and was shocked to learn they claim the lives of approximately 100,000 people each year in the United States alone. Arshell and her granddaughter (Leschel’s daughter) feel compelled to help fight, educate and bring awareness to as many communities as possible to help save lives.
Arshell is honored to be a member of NBCA’s Board of Directors to help others living with blood clots, caregivers supporting those who have suffered a blood clot, and honor loved ones who are no longer here. She hopes to increase awareness and prevention surrounding life-threatening blood clots.
More about the NBCA Board of Directors.
