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Daughter’s brush with death spurs Peter on his marathon mission

14.04.10 

THE LONDON Marathon will take on an extra special meaning for Lancashire's Peter Gibson as he strides out to help find a vaccine for meningitis - the deadly disease which left his daughter hours away from death.

When Suzanne Gibson was rushed to hospital with meningitis two years ago doctors warned Peter and his wife Celia to prepare for the worst.

Her family feared that, even if she did pull through, the 19-year-old may have been left with devastating after-effects.

But, against the odds, the youngster emerged from the coma unscathed and has gone on to make a full recovery.

The traumatic experience prompted Peter to run this year's London Marathon for Meningitis UK, which funds vaccine research to help protect future generations and eradicate the disease completely.

Peter, from Thornton Cleveleys, is confident she will be able to complete the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge on April 25 and aims to raise £2,000.

He said: "I'm a member of Blackpool Running Club so have done lots of half marathons but this will be my first marathon. Although I will want to get it over with, I'm really looking forward to the occasion.

"Thinking of what happened to Suzanne will doubtlessly spur me on. I'm aiming to raise £2,000 for Meningitis UK. We realise how lucky we've been which is why I want to help in some way to prevent this terrible disease."

Peter remembers how Suzanne, who was then working as cabin crew, had been feeling off colour for a few weeks and had flu-like symptoms.

Then, just before he and wife Celia left for work one morning in January 2008, they discovered her with a terrible headache and she was vomiting, disorientated and struggling to walk.

That was at around 7.30am and just four hours later she was in a coma in hospital fighting for her life.

Peter, 56, explained: "Suzanne hadn't been feeling herself for a few days but there wasn't any indication of what was going to unfold in such a short space of time.

"She clearly needed medical attention so we called the doctor, who came out straight away. She was rushed to hospital and soon fell into a coma.

"It happened so incredibly quickly. They did a lumber puncture, which confirmed bacterial meningitis, and started pumping her full of antibiotics.

"The doctor warned us that she might not survive the night and that there was no guarantee that she wouldn't suffer long-term problems from the meningitis."

Suzanne was in a coma for 24 hours, during which time Peter said the only option was to try and think positive.

Thanks to the expert care at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, she awoke from the coma and it was evident she was going to be ok.

Peter, who works as an accountant at Crossley and Davis, added: "She had lost a lot of weight and was still very ill but it was clear that her hearing, eyesight and brain were all ok. It was a huge relief.

"We try not to think what would have happened if we'd not been at home, or had left for work early and not realised how ill she was. If she'd got to hospital just an hour later then the outcome could have been so different.

"She was in there for 10 days in total and has thankfully been left with no after effects whatsoever. Everyone at Blackpool Victoria did a terrific job and we couldn't have wished for better treatment."

Suzanne was diagnosed with the meningitis B strain of the disease, which is the most common in this country.

Money raised from Peter's marathon efforts will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign to find a vaccine for Meningitis B.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Peter's running and fundraising efforts are really remarkable. We're very thankful to him, not just for taking part in the marathon but also for sharing Suzanne's story and helping to raise awareness of this devastating disease.

"Fortunately Suzanne pulled through but her experience highlights what a devastating disease meningitis is and how quickly it can take hold.

"Six families a week lose a loved one to meningitis which is why it's so important to find a vaccine for all forms of meningitis."

To sponsor Peter, visit www.justgiving.com/Peter-Gibson-Marathon or for further information on meningitis contact Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.