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NBC 6 is proud to partner with the Nell Shehee Foundation on Operation Kindness<\/a>.<\/p>\n NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL\/KMSS<\/a>) \u2013 When Natchitoches native and former WNBA star Shantel Hardison lost her son to heart disease, her heart was broken. It\u2019s been nearly seven years since she buried her son Kendall, who died from complications of an enlarged heart<\/p>\n \u201cYou always think they\u2019re going to bury you. It\u2019s almost like that\u2019s the way it\u2019s supposed to go,\u201d Hardison shared.<\/p>\n Kendall was just 28 years old when he died. His son and namesake was four years old at the time, with little brother Kairo on the way. Hardison says she is grateful to have<\/p>\n \u201cI hold on to them to heal me,\u201d Hardison explained. \u201cKendall was my baby and his kids, I think, even though God knows, I think they keep me going. They help me with purpose. It\u2019s a different love though. Oh my goodness it\u2019s a different love.\u201d<\/p>\n When Kendall was a child, Hardison spent a lot of time travelling in the WNBA. She says that experience makes her even more grateful for the time she gets to spend with her grandchildren.<\/p>\n \u201cI call it triumph out of tragedy,\u201d Hardison said.<\/p>\n Faith meets fashion: Clothing line wraps you in God\u2019s word <\/a><\/p>\n During the past few years, she\u2019s also found meaning by establishing the Kendall Hardison Foundation. In memory of his kindness and generosity, the organization has funded a turkey giveaway and toy drive for those in need. They will soon offer a college scholarship. Hardison has also made it her mission to promote heart health.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to bring awareness to it, whether you\u2019re an athlete or not, that doesn\u2019t matter but just bring awareness to that we need to get our hearts checked,\u201d Hardison said.<\/p>\n Her advice is to get a check-up as soon as possible because life can be more fleeting than you think. Because of that, she also encourages everyone to embrace the moments that matter.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have time. So, love them while you can love them. Hug them as much as you can,\u201d Hardison said. \u201cIt just put things in perspective that you don\u2019t have time, not meaning just with your children but with your own life.\u201d<\/p>\n The Kendall Hardison Foundation will host two events on Saturday, March 7, 2026. A memorial Heart Walk will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Prather Coliseum<\/a> on the campus of Northwestern State University. Admission is free. A Sneaker Ball fundraiser will take place at 7:00 p.m. at Prime Events located at 1214 Texas Street in Natchitoches. Admission is $20 at the door.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n