Community Partner: The PAMAH Foundation The PAMAH (Percilla Ann Marie April Hodge) Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed by Shaquille Hodge in December 2018 after the sudden death of his wife. In July 2018, Shaquille and Percilla took their family to South Carolina for a weekend family getaway. While the family prepared to go to the beach, Percilla complained of a headache and nausea, so she directed Shaquille and the family to go ahead while she rested and took meds for her headache. When Shaquille returned from the beach, Percilla did not recognize him and did not know where she was, so he rushed her to the local hospital. She was later diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis, and doctors began treating her condition. Days later, 27-year-old Percilla succumbed to the disease, never waking from her medically induced coma. Shaquille was left with three children ages 7, 5, and 3 months. After experiencing the sudden loss of his wife, Shaquille wanted to assist other families who may have suffered the same type of loss. With the help of his mother and a family friend, he formed the PAMAH Foundation to honor Percilla’s memory while raising awareness of this and other vaccine-preventable diseases. PAMAH’s small staff of three volunteers has developed programs and held events to raise awareness of meningitis, meningococcal disease, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, emphasizing the importance of immunizations for health and wellness in the community. Though PAMAH’s mission to advocate, educate, and vaccinate began as a journey of awareness for meningitis and meningococcal disease, it has increased its scope to include COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases. In April, PAMAH held its first event of 2021 — the 4th Annual Pork & Torque Car and Truck Show in Woodstock. Although it rained hard, visitors, car clubs, and volunteers from surrounding states came to support the event. Former NBA basketball star Shaquille O’Neal made a special appearance and showcased his car with its cool modifications. In partnership with Pepsi-Stronger-Together, Woodstock Pharmacy, Cherokee County Department of Health, and Hartley Health and Wellness, PAMAH recently held a Back-to-School Vaccination Drive. Three clinics were held in Cherokee County the weekend before school began. Vaccinations were given to students and educators, and a raffle was held to supply laptops and hotspots for students in need who will be homeschooled this year. P.O. Box 138, Lebanon, GA 30146 678-926-9507PAMAHFoundation.orgInstagram: @PAMAHFoundationFacebook: @pamahfoundationTwitter: @PAMAHF
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