Quan'Tahnece Smith

Meet Quan'Tahnece who is raising awareness for lupus in Flint, MI.

Quan'Tahnece’s Story:

Hello my name is Quan’Tahnece Smith. I was diagnosed with Lupus at 34 years old. I am currently dealing with multiple organ issues due to lupus. My lupus flare is currently in severe mode (heart, stomach, head, skin, muscles). I am taking methotrexate, and preparing to receive infusion treatments, and IV treatments due to dehydration. I also suffer from a biliary bile duct injury, in which my common bile duct was damaged during a laparoscopic gallbladder procedure. U of M Dr. Nathan and Team saved my life.

Having the biliary injury makes having Lupus worse, especially with taking methotrexate. Many of my meals have to be puréed, or in smoothie form to not cause extreme stomach pain/vomiting.  My two children, King Jo’Shaun-Robaire Smith & Prince Imannuel Tonio-Fernando Smith, watch me suffer from Lupus daily, our lives have been forever changed. My father, retired NFL player Fernando Smith, created the Smith Helping Hands foundation, and the Flint Lupus Coalition program. He created the FLC program for people like myself , my mother LaTonya Poole who suffers from Lupus. Lupus is hereditary for me, and unfortunately affects my mother brain tumor, her heart, blood cells, skin and other organs. My father Fernando Smith believes it is his duty to help other Flint Residents prevent late lupus diagnosis.

Smith Helping Hands team is excited to advocate for Flint Residents! Flint Lupus Coalition brings Awareness to the Flint Community by Advocate for Lupus Warriors. The Flint Lupus Coalition will help others learn about symptoms, treatments, and resources. As I Learn to Live with Lupus, I Am Thankful For My Support System & Doctors! The Michigan Lupus Foundation , and The Lupus Foundation Of America has helped me connect with other Lupus Warriors in support groups, and allows me to receive education that truly assist with my lupus flares.