HGF
Welcome Message
On the behalf of our team and myself, welcome to our Website.
Heart of a Giant Foundation (HGF) was born from my personal journey and steadfast commitment to advocacy, resilience, and positive change. Throughout my journey to receiving a heart transplant, I gained a unique insight into the challenges and intricacies of our healthcare system. This life-altering experience ignited my passion to support others navigating similar paths, a journey I understand intimately.
Meet the Founder
Meet Somaneh 'Bouba'!
Business Professional, Entrepreneur, and Heart Health Advocate
Somaneh "Bouba" Diemé is an accomplished engineer, passionate entrepreneur, and dedicated community leader committed to empowering patients, caregivers, and the broader community in heart health. As a long-time heart patient turned community health innovator, Bouba leverages his unique experiences and skills to foster connection, learning, and growth among patients and healthcare professionals.
Personal Journey and Mission:
Bouba's journey began over a decade ago when he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition, leading to a prolonged battle with chronic heart disease and, ultimately, a life-saving heart transplant. This personal experience ignited his commitment to raising awareness, providing support, and driving positive change for those affected by heart conditions, particularly in at-risk communities.
Heart of a Giant Foundation:
As the founder of the Heart of a Giant Foundation (HGF), Bouba has led the organization to achieve significant milestones in empowering individuals at high risk of heart conditions. The foundation's programs focus on education, support, and direct intervention, helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.
Global Impact and Leadership:
Bouba is renowned for his advocacy and leadership in healthcare innovation, focusing on preventing heart diseases and improving patient outcomes. His mission to enhance local and global health is fueled by his social connections, professional knowledge, and personal experience with heart failure. By volunteering within his community and bringing a unique perspective from living in diverse parts of the world, including areas with limited resources, Bouba continues to make significant strides in raising awareness and driving positive change.
Community and Beyond:
Based in Boston, MA, with his family, Bouba's impact extends beyond his local community to his home countries of Mali and Senegal. His dedication to fostering connections and improving healthcare initiatives has made him a sought-after speaker and collaborator.
Contact Information:
For speaking engagements, collaborations, or partnership opportunities, please feel free to reach out to Bouba. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by heart conditions. Contact details can be provided upon request.
Key Achievements and Focus Areas:
- Education: Providing comprehensive heart health education to at-risk communities.
- Support: Offering resources and support networks for patients and caregivers.
- Direct Intervention: Implementing programs that directly improve the quality of life for individuals with heart conditions.
- Advocacy: Raising awareness and driving changes to enhance heart health outcomes globally.
Bouba's unwavering commitment and innovative approach inspire and empower individuals and communities worldwide.
Bouba’s Blog
Welcome to My Blog!
Welcome to My Heart Health Journey Blog
Hello, I'm Somaneh "Bouba" Diemé, a passionate advocate for heart health and the founder of the Heart of a Giant Foundation. I'm thrilled to have you join me here as I share my personal journey with heart failure and life as a heart transplant recipient.
From 2012 to 2022, I survived congestive heart failure caused by a congenital heart defect, leading to open-heart surgery to implant an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) pump. After a six-year wait, I finally received a heart transplant in late 2022. This journey has not only shaped my life but also fueled my commitment to improving patient outcomes and empowering individuals to lead healthier lives.
Through this blog, I aim to:
-Share my unfiltered experiences as a heart failure survivor and heart transplant recipient.
-Provide insights into the patient's perspective, making it more relevant to the improvement of therapies and healthcare systems.
-Empower and educate others about heart health, advocacy, and the power of community support.
-Inspire hope and resilience in those facing similar challenges.
Join the Journey.I invite you to be part of this journey, engaging with my stories, learning from my experiences, and contributing to the conversation. Together, we can drive positive change in heart health outcomes and improve the lives of patients worldwide.
Thank you for your support and for being part of this community!
New to the blog? Start by exploring some of my key posts and don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on new content.
Disclaimer: The information shared on this blog is based on my personal experiences and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for any medical issues.
Latest Blogs
The link between mental health and physical health
The link between mental health and physical health
By Lewis C. Howe
Over the past several months, I have been sharing my journey toward achieving lower blood pressure and weight loss with the hope of helping others improve their heart health.
In this piece, I want to discuss the connection between mental health challenges and the decline in physical health.
For most of my life, I was thin due to smoking and drinking instead of having balanced meals. However, quitting these habits led to weight gain and hypertension. Complicating things further is my lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression. Whenever my physical health declines, my mental health worsens, and it exacerbates my existing medical issues. To tackle these problems, I recently consulted my mental health provider and nutritionist. At times like these, treating the entire body, including the mind, is crucial to prevent minor problems from becoming catastrophic. My therapist, who has been with me for almost 15 years, reminded me that I've overcome worse times. I used to motivate myself to stay on a healthy track by aiming to be present in my children's lives when I struggled with depression and anxiety. Now that my children are older, I'm reassessing my life and contemplating what I want to do.
Photo by TienDat Nguyen on Unsplash
My therapist, nutritionist, and primary care doctor all want me to live a healthy life into old age. Still, I need to be willing to make the effort. I told them I don't see myself taking up extreme activities in my 60s, so I need to consider what I enjoy doing and what new pursuits I'd like to explore in my free time. I don't have all the answers yet, but one thing I've been able to do is rekindle old interests in the arts and antique shopping. I've moved to a small town with a vibrant theater community and several second-hand shops. Instead of attending my youngest child's soccer matches on Sundays, I walk downtown from my house, explore the shops, and read local literary magazines at a coffee shop. It takes me back to my youth in the city and helps me feel connected to my new community. Apart from the high-fat muffins at the coffee shop, this has proven to be a good strategy for my well-being and overall health. Despite the challenges, my average blood pressure has only slightly increased, and I've gained back only 4 pounds of the 22 I lost last year.
Returning to a heart-healthy lifestyle requires more than avoiding unhealthy foods and drinks. I need to manage my blood pressure through a sound mind and body. This path takes work. In times of great personal stress, I often sought comfort in unhealthy foods, which led to obesity and hypertension. I must remind myself that a healthy heart begins with a healthy brain. I must resist temptations and remind myself that I will feel better and likely live longer by taking better care of myself. The next few weeks are going to be challenging, and I will document my progress as before. I welcome suggestions from you, my readers, and encouragement as I get back on track. To anyone else struggling, I urge you not to give up, even when faced with setbacks in life.
-
News & Media
Sign-up to stay updated with the latest news, interviews, and media appearances of Somaneh “Bouba” Diemé.
Discover how Bouba makes waves in healthcare advocacy, patient support, and heart health education. Follow his journey as he shares insights, success stories, and ongoing efforts to drive positive change in healthcare systems worldwide.
Latest News
The link between mental health and physical health
The link between mental health and physical health
By Lewis C. Howe
Over the past several months, I have been sharing my journey toward achieving lower blood pressure and weight loss with the hope of helping others improve their heart health.
In this piece, I want to discuss the connection between mental health challenges and the decline in physical health.
For most of my life, I was thin due to smoking and drinking instead of having balanced meals. However, quitting these habits led to weight gain and hypertension. Complicating things further is my lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression. Whenever my physical health declines, my mental health worsens, and it exacerbates my existing medical issues. To tackle these problems, I recently consulted my mental health provider and nutritionist. At times like these, treating the entire body, including the mind, is crucial to prevent minor problems from becoming catastrophic. My therapist, who has been with me for almost 15 years, reminded me that I've overcome worse times. I used to motivate myself to stay on a healthy track by aiming to be present in my children's lives when I struggled with depression and anxiety. Now that my children are older, I'm reassessing my life and contemplating what I want to do.
Photo by TienDat Nguyen on Unsplash
My therapist, nutritionist, and primary care doctor all want me to live a healthy life into old age. Still, I need to be willing to make the effort. I told them I don't see myself taking up extreme activities in my 60s, so I need to consider what I enjoy doing and what new pursuits I'd like to explore in my free time. I don't have all the answers yet, but one thing I've been able to do is rekindle old interests in the arts and antique shopping. I've moved to a small town with a vibrant theater community and several second-hand shops. Instead of attending my youngest child's soccer matches on Sundays, I walk downtown from my house, explore the shops, and read local literary magazines at a coffee shop. It takes me back to my youth in the city and helps me feel connected to my new community. Apart from the high-fat muffins at the coffee shop, this has proven to be a good strategy for my well-being and overall health. Despite the challenges, my average blood pressure has only slightly increased, and I've gained back only 4 pounds of the 22 I lost last year.
Returning to a heart-healthy lifestyle requires more than avoiding unhealthy foods and drinks. I need to manage my blood pressure through a sound mind and body. This path takes work. In times of great personal stress, I often sought comfort in unhealthy foods, which led to obesity and hypertension. I must remind myself that a healthy heart begins with a healthy brain. I must resist temptations and remind myself that I will feel better and likely live longer by taking better care of myself. The next few weeks are going to be challenging, and I will document my progress as before. I welcome suggestions from you, my readers, and encouragement as I get back on track. To anyone else struggling, I urge you not to give up, even when faced with setbacks in life.
-
The Heart of a Giant Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 84-2900386. Donations are tax-deductible.
