Drive to beat meningitis reaches Oldham
19.07.10
HEARTBROKEN parents who are dealing with the grief of losing their baby boy to meningitis are hoping to help find a vaccine for the killer disease.
Katie Corry and Kaine Radcliffe, from Oldham, are supporting Meningitis UK in its vaccine research work after their son Leo died in less than 24 hours.
The tot was only five-and-a-half months old when he was struck down by the brain bug on June 4.
Now, in a bid to save future parents the heartache of losing a child, Katie and Kaine are today helping to launch a week-long awareness drive at Asda in Chadderton.
Meningitis UK's giant trailer will be parked outside the store to highlight the symptoms of the disease and the need to act quickly, carrying the hard-hitting warning that meningitis can kill in under four hours.
Free wallet-sized symptoms cards will be available to shoppers throughout the week.
Katie and Kaine have also set up a tribute fund in memory of Leo, hoping to raise money towards finding a vaccine for Meningitis B - the most common strain of the disease in this country and the one which killed Leo.
Their daughter Leah-Chanel also fell ill with the brain bug two years ago but survived after a 10 day stay in intensive care.
Katie, 18, said: "Although Leah had been ill with the disease previously she was older and the symptoms presented themselves differently.
"That's why finding a vaccine to prevent it in the first place is so important. The symptoms are so similar to normal ailments that it's sometimes impossible even for doctors to diagnose.
"I called the ambulance as soon as I noticed two dots on his forehead but they weren't able to save him. Everyone knows about the rash but it's often one of the last symptoms to emerge and damage may have already been done.
"We hope Leo's story will help save lives. I would urge every parent to make sure they know the full range of symptoms and to trust their instincts and take their child to hospital if they suspect something's wrong."
Leo died from the dangerous meningococcal septicaemia form of the disease, which leads to death in a fifth of cases.
It occurs when meningococcal bacteria enter the blood stream and multiply uncontrollably, poisoning the blood and completely overwhelming the immune system.
Although successful vaccines exist to protect against some forms of meningitis, there is still no vaccine available to protect against all strains, including the most common in the UK - meningococcal group B. This causes both meningitis and septicaemia and accounts for almost 90 per cent of all meningococcal cases.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK, lost his son Spencer to the disease in 1982 and has since dedicated his life to raising funds to help develop a vaccine to eradicate the deadly disease.
He will be launching the trailer and said: "What happened to Leo sadly illustrates the speed at which meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses.
"There are also occasions when people show no or very few symptoms.
"For these reasons we believe that the only way to eradicate the disease completely is through the development of a preventative vaccine and the awareness trailer is a big part of our public education programme."
The trailer will be positioned at Asda until July 26, before continuing its tour around the UK.
The charity is also offering the public free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness. These include a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a ‘Check the Symptoms' fridge magnet and handy wallet-sized symptoms cards.
To order your free symptoms information pack, or to support the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, call 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.
A fundraising auction night has been organised by Leo's grandmother Donna Dawson for September 3 at The Blue Club on Victoria Street, Chadderton, from 7.30pm.
To make a donation to the Forever Fund set up in Leo's memory, visit http://www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Leo Caiden Radcliffe.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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