A Solihull mum-of-two has been ‘honoured’ with an iconic red bench in her local area to celebrate her survival from a rare genetic heart condition and raise awareness of the importance of research into cardiovascular disease.
Thanieth Khan, from Solihull, is one of just 65 people across the UK chosen by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to take part in its national campaign and have a red bench installed with their name on it, to celebrate 65 years of the charity funding life-saving cardiovascular research.
Behind every bench is a powerful real-life story of someone living with a cardiovascular condition –and thanks to research, they can survive to enjoy life with their loved ones.
Thanieth’s bench was installed by Solihull Council and has been unveiled on the Stratford Road in Shirley, opposite Boots. Thanieth is living a full life in spite of her heart condition but knows how serious it can be as her mum and two brothers died from the same condition.
Thanieth was 14 when she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease of the heart muscle where the heart chambers become enlarged and the heart's muscle wall becomes thinner and weaker. Since then, she has endured countless hospital visits for chest pain and palpitations. She also tragically lost her mother and two brothers to the same condition.
Today, thanks to advances in treatment, Thanieth has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a small electrical device that is inserted under the skin and administers a shock if she has a life-threatening heart rhythm. This means she can live a full and active life.
She enjoys weight training and runs a successful international recruitment company as well as looking after her children Abdullah, 10, and Aisha, nine. She is determined to break the stigma surrounding heart disease and says she feels ‘honoured’ to be part of the British Heart Foundation’s campaign.
“Benches usually remember those we’ve lost, but mine is different — it celebrates survival,” said Thanieth.
“Thanks to the incredible progress of research into heart conditions, I was diagnosed and treated at an early stage and I am able to live my life and be around for my children.
“Losing my mum and brothers to the same heart condition makes the bench even more poignant. But I know the best way to honour their memory is to grab life with both hands and to raise awareness of heart conditions so fewer people lose loved ones.
“I hope the bench inspires people to learn more about heart conditions and about the BHF, gives hope to those affected by heart disease, and inspires everyone to donate to life-saving heart research.”
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, said: “It’s been our pleasure to work with the British Heart Foundation on their campaign and install Thanieth’s bench in Shirley.
“Thanieth’s inspiring story really does highlight the fantastic work the BHF do across the country.
“We’re committed to help Silhillians live longer and healthier lives, working closely with our colleagues across the NHS and other organisations.
“Opportunities such as our NHS Healthchecks programme are a great way for people aged 40-74 to check their heart health and can be booked in through your local GP.”
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at British Heart Foundation said: “Thanieth’s story shows the true reality of living with cardiovascular disease, and we are so grateful that she is courageously sharing her experiences to help others.
“Despite being one of the UK’s biggest killers, our new findings show cardiovascular disease is still misunderstood or not taken seriously – and that those living with it face judgement and challenges.
“By sharing the stories of people who live with cardiovascular disease on our iconic red benches across the UK, we hope to start more conversations that change dangerous misconceptions. Research will help us save and improve more lives, but the only way we can fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow is thanks to the public’s generous donations.”