After being diagnosed with lupus, TV host Nick Cannon made it his mission to empower future generations through health equity.
How did being diagnosed with lupus impact your life?
Honestly, it was scary at first, because I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about lupus. It was during the holidays and I was experiencing great pain, and then I had to be rushed to the hospital and flown to a different hospital. I wasn’t familiar with lupus at all — I had only heard about it from my friend, Toni Braxton. There were so many things going through my mind, but once I got educated and understood what I had to do to remedy my body, that’s when all the fear left.
How has your daily routine changed after being diagnosed and going through treatment?
Today, I feel like I’m probably the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. What lupus does is hold you accountable for your health, because it’s an autoimmune condition. If you’re not doing all the proper things, your immune system can instantly go out of whack and cause so many other problems and flare-ups. In order for me to not experience those things, I’ve had to learn to eat properly, hydrate, and exercise regularly. I recently launched NCredible Food, which is an all-in-one super supplement that supports brain, gut, and immune health through a clinically backed formula of protein, greens, vitamins, and minerals, so people can support their health goals and enhance their daily vitality.
What kind of barriers exist that stop people in marginalized communities from getting diagnosed with lupus?
Barriers to information and knowledge. If we really knew the things that we put in our body and consider food and medicine, a lot of it isn’t aligned with what our natural disposition requires. A lot of people don’t understand that even fine sugar isn’t good for you — and I say that specifically because I am a lover of candy and sweets! But it’s one of those things where before being diagnosed with lupus and being educated, I didn’t know the damaging long-term effects of sugar.
We see giant advertisements for processed foods that we’re told make us feel good or are good for us, but too much of that stuff is going to be a detriment to your health.
What really motivated you to share your story?
At first, I was primarily seeking support — just living in my truth and wanting my supporters to go through the journey with me. Right when I stepped into the hospital for the first time, I took an Instagram photo. I was like, wherever this journey takes me, I want to document the entire process, so I kept a camera on my journey from day one. From my first doctor visit to all my hospital stays, every exam, the pulmonary embolisms, the weight gain, the weight loss, trying to get back in shape, I always kept a camera on. That was 2012, and here we are over a decade later and I’ve received so much love and support from the community because I’ve just been so open with the journey.
What can loved ones of lupus patients do to support them and help them through their journey?
Be understanding, and be patient. Lupus is a silent assassin: The person may look perfectly fine and is attempting to be strong, but sometimes even just getting out of bed can be so difficult. I remember there were times when I couldn’t even move for over an hour. So, I would just say if you have a loved one with lupus, be patient with them and understand that. Try to be as understanding and compassionate as possible with that process.
What specific challenges do men of color face when it comes to expressing vulnerability, especially as it relates to their health and well-being?
One of the platforms I’ve recently built is called Counsel Culture, and it’s specifically for men of color to be able to have a safe space to be vulnerable, to say “I’m not okay” or “I don’t understand this.” Men are always supposed to be strong, and there’s a stigma against expressing vulnerability. When men can be there for men, there’s a magic that occurs because you understand that there’s someone going through the exact same thing as you, and together you can both get through it. Having the strength to be vulnerable is the type of courage that we’re all about at Counsel Culture.
What legacy do you hope to leave in terms of raising awareness not just for lupus, but for health equity and disparities in America?
Legacy is definitely my passion and my purpose. I don’t go through it, I grow through it. I’ve gone through so much, and I’ve been able to grow through so much. Whatever I can leave when it comes to information, knowledge, and wisdom for the generations to come, this has truly become my passion.
I know what it’s like to be a patient, to go through intensive care and rehabilitation. Knowing that I have all of these experiences, I can culminate them together to ultimately be a beacon or amplifier for those who don’t have the platform that I have. If I can be that conduit for the community, I feel like that’s greatest legacy I can leave.
