The Founder

Yaikinsha Coles, 42, a wife and mother, is a Birmingham native on a pronounced and specific mission: to raise awareness about the dangers of blood clots, and sudden silent death by pulmonary embolisms.

“By raising awareness of blood clot disorders such as DVT [deep vein thrombosis], May-Thurner Syndrome, PE [pulmonary embolisms], amongst other conditions and medications that cause or increase the risk of blood clots we can save lives,” she said.

Coles formed the non-profit organization Joná’s Way in early 2019, after her first successful fundraiser for NBCA (National Blood Clot Alliance) in December of 2018. This event followed the death of her 18-year-old daughter Nya, who suffered from DVT [deep vein thrombosis], and May-Thurner Syndrome and ultimately succumbed to a PE [pulmonary embolism].

With her precious daughters’ life cut short, Coles feels called to the mission of prevention by educating the public and bringing more awareness to the often unseen dangers and misdiagnosis of blood clots.

Asked how she hopes her organization impacts communities nationwide, she said— “My life’s mission is to do everything within my power to prevent this from happening to someone else, someone else’s baby. Until it knocks at our own front door, we sometimes discredit the severity of certain ailments. Joná’s Way is here to be that strength, to be that voice, to advocate for those that are unaware. To reduce the number of fatalities due to uneducated communities. Get ready to see us EVERYWHERE and at ALL TIMES.”