Grieving parents in meningitis appeal
18.01.11
HEARTBROKEN parents who are dealing with the grief of losing their baby girl to meningitis are hoping to help find a vaccine for the killer disease.
Claire and Stefan Fox, from York, are supporting Meningitis UK in its vaccine research work after their daughter Clara died last year.
She was only 10-months-old when her body gave up its short fight with pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia on October 6.
Now, in a bid to save future parents the heartache of losing a child, Claire and Stefan are helping to launch a week-long awareness drive at Asda in York.
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.
Claire and Stefan have also set up a tribute fund in memory of Clara, hoping to raise money towards finding a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis.
Claire said their loss has been all the more devastating because she had just survived a life-threatening brain tumour and was looking forward to watching her children grow up.
The 33-year-old said: "When I was given the all-clear I felt overwhelmed at how excited I was to face everyday knowing I would have the time to watch my children grow, Alexander and especially Clara who was only 18-weeks-old when I was diagnosed.
"Clara has left a hole in so many people's hearts. We hope our fundraising will keep her memory alive and I also feel strongly that people need to be much more aware of what a deadly, rapid and devastating disease it is.
"My advice to everyone is not to wait for the rash as it's one of the last symptoms to appear. Parents need to be aware of all the symptoms and trust their instincts – they're stronger than any qualification I've come across."
Clara initially had a temperature and a runny nose, which her parents first thought was due to a new tooth they had spotted the previous day.
Claire's mum Norma looked after Clara while Claire was at work but the little girl began being sick.
They rushed her to the doctors, by which time she was looking vacant and flushed, but Clara was initially misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis.
She was admitted to York District Hospital for a check-up in case she was dehydrated and needed fluids after being sick.
Clara continued to be sick throughout the night and a blood test showed she had an infection.
A senior paediatrician later came to assess Clara when her breath became irregular and started to fade.
He confirmed Claire's worst fears and said Clara had meningitis. She was rushed to the emergency room. A CT scan was carried out and they were given the heartbreaking news that Clara was critically ill.
The poorly tot was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where there was an intensive care bed.
Claire, whose brother is former York footballer Christian Fox, said: "I paced for an hour before we were called to see her. A doctor appeared and I asked him what they could do to help Clara.
"He said there had been no change and confirmed that she was brain dead. Those words cut through my heart like a bolt of lightening.
"They kept her on ventilators overnight while I held her. I prayed with the priest all night, asking for a miracle to allow Clara to have the life she so deserved and enjoyed.
"After a third opinion later that morning, and after watching her little body fight for 14 hours, I was given no option other than to hold her as tight as I could while we took her ventilator away.
"Clara continued to fight in my arms until the very last heartbeat – the moment I wished mine would stop too."
Clara died from the dangerous pneumococcal form of the disease, which is the most deadly type of meningitis.
Although there's a vaccine for pneumococcal meningitis it does not protect against all strains and one in six children who contract it will die.
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 Clara 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 in York until January 24, 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.
To make a donation to the Forever Fund set up in Clara's memory, visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Clara Willow Fox.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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