Joel's Little Big Hero fundraising legacy

22.03.11

THE FAMILY of nine-month-old meningitis victim Joel Ruck has embarked on a fundraising mission in his memory.

Joel Ruck The youngster from West Ewell, Surrey, died suddenly on New Year's Eve in 2009 and through donating his organs was able to save two people's lives.

Now, in a bid to help find a vaccine to protect people against meningitis in the future, the Little Big Hero Fundraising Night has been organised for Saturday night (MARCH 26) at the Boogie Lounge in Epsom to raise money for Meningitis UK.

Joel's uncle Glenn Dela Cruz says it looks set to be a successful night, with prizes including a board signed by the Eastenders cast and a Nintendo DSi 3D.

Tickets are available on the door for £3 and over 100 people look set to attend the fundraiser, which begins at 8pm.

Glenn, from Epsom, said: "We've got loads of great auction and raffle prizes.

"The aim is to raise as much money as possible for Meningitis UK, which funds vaccine research to protect people from this dreadful disease.

"Joel's death was like a bolt out of the blue and we really want to do our best now to make sure something positive can be achieved in his memory."

Little Big Hero Fundraiser poster Joel first showed signs of being ill on Christmas day, which his parents Kimberlyn Dela Cruz and Lee Ruck put down to teething or the start of a winter cold.

They decided to take him to Thames Doc on December 27, where he was diagnosed with an ear infection and given antibiotics.

A second doctor also thought it was an ear infection along with dehydration.

Kimberlyn said: "The GP told us to give Joel water but later that night we couldn't hold off anymore and went to Accident and Emergency.

"As soon as he was seen he was rushed away. Everything happened so fast. We were even told that he might have an abscess in his brain.

"After a while they told us he was going to be transferred to King's College Hospital. This is when they told us how serious his condition was but we didn't know what the cause was.

"It scared us to death not knowing what was wrong. We weren't allowed to see him until the next morning, when it broke out hearts to see him lying there with tubes everywhere and bleeping machines.

"Later that day they told us it might be pneumococcal meningitis and that he was no longer breathing by himself."

Doctors tested Joel's brain on New Year's Eve but he sadly showed no response.

His life support had to be switched off but not before he donated his organs to save two lives.

Although a vaccine exists to protect against pneumococcal meningitis, it does not cover all strains and it remains the most deadly form of meningitis.

Such was the difficulty in diagnosing Joel, his family feel strongly that a vaccine is the best way to safeguard lives in the future.

All the money raised in his memory will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against all forms of meningitis.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Everyone's efforts in memory of Joel are really remarkable and we wish them every success with their fundraising night, which sounds like it will be an evening to remember.

"What happened to Joel sadly illustrates the speed at which meningitis can strike, with very few symptoms to distinguish the disease from more common illnesses.

"The devastation experienced by his family reinforces the importance of finding a vaccine sooner rather than later.

"Every penny they raise will go towards this single focus and our ultimate goal to spare people the heartache of losing a loved one to meningitis."

To make a donation in Joel's memory, please visit www.meningitisuk.tributefunds.com and search for Joel Selwyn Ruck.