Former Miss Jamaica Universe, 30, dies after lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia

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Shakira Martin, the former Miss Jamaica Universe, has died at age 30.

Martin died Wednesday from “blood clots on both lungs,” according to a Sun-Sentinel report. The blood clots were a result of “complications” from sickle cell anemia, the report states.

According to Martin’s mother Andrea Hall, the beauty queen encouraged others who suffered from the disease to get out of their homes and enjoy the sunshine.

Her mother, Andrea Hall, said that Martin lived by these words: “If you live a dead life, what was the purpose of being alive?”

Hall went on to say that her daughter had suffered from the sickle cell disease since birth but never let her disease define her.

“She was never a slave to the disease, she was very proud, very resilient, she lived her life to the fullest,” said Hall, of Plantation. “Nothing was impossible for her, she never allowed anything to stop her from trying. She was very funny, friendly, loved music, loved Beyonce.”