Donna Lucas
Donna's Run for Annie!
Fundraising for Meningitis Research Foundation
Story
I am running the 2022 London Marathon because I want to raise awareness and highlight the misconceptions people have regarding meningitis and help Meningitis Research Foundation achieve their goal of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. I will also be running the marathon in memory of a very special little girl.
ABOUT ANNIE
Annalise Luffingham (affectionately known as 'Annie'), was a kind, loving and vibrant little lady who had been living her best life up until February 2020 when she was struck down with Meningitis at the age of 11. Annie was thriving - she was doing brilliantly well at school, was popular with both the children and teachers, loved singing and music (she played the recorder in the school orchestra), and had passed her secondary school entrance exams with flying colours. She played football, was a keen horserider and loved attending Park Lane Stables where she also had many friends. She had just returned from a wonderful family holiday in Finland and it was a really happy time for her. Then she got poorly, and recognising the warning signs of Meningitis, Annie's parents, David and Tracey, took her to the hospital and after nearly a week of illness, Annie sadly passed away. Unfortunately, the NHS hospital Annie was taken to failed to react quickly enough to Annie's condition which was a contributing factor to her death. Annie's parents, David and Tracey, have had to deal with so much since Annie's passing, but what they remain absolutely resolute about is raising awareness of the symptoms and preventative measures that can be taken to ensure that no other family has to go through what they have had to endure. Annie had her whole life in front of her and had already achieved so much. Whilst what happened to her was just so tragic and untimely, Annie died with a head full of dreams for her future.
RAISING AWARENESS - WARNING SIGNS AND PREVENTATIVE MEASURES
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicemia* (blood poisoning).
Key Warning Signs of Meningitis and Septicemia (taken from www.meningitisnow.org)
Meningitis symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. Early symptoms of meningitis can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle pain
- Stomach cramps
- Fever with cold hands and feet
This is a list of the early symptoms of meningitis, for more age specific symptoms please see the pages for babies and toddlers, children and adults at www.meningitisnow.org.
Common signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicemia:
- Fever with cold hands and feet
- Vomiting
- Drowsy or difficult to wake
- Confusion and irritability
- Severe muscle pain
- Pale blotchy skin, spots or rash (See Glass Test (link))
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Dislike bright lights
- Convulsions or seizures
Someone with meningitis or septicemia can get a lot worse very quickly. Keep checking them.
DO NOT WAIT FOR A RASH. If someone is ill and getting worse, trust your instincts - Get medical help and be insistent. A rash is a sign that things have gotten to critical stage and sepsis has taken hold.
VACCINATIONS
Unfortunately, there are many different strains of Meningitis, but there are also vaccines available to help combat the most deadly and common types. Meningitis doesn't discriminate against age and whilst it is most common in babies, toddlers and college age children, it can also affect adults.
MenACWY vaccine
Since 2015 UK teenagers have been routinely offered the MenACWY vaccine at around 14 years of age in response to a rapid rise in a particularly deadly strain of MenW disease. The MenACWY vaccine was introduced in Ireland from September 2019 for all first year secondary school students.
MenB vaccine
Since September 2015 in UK and December 2016 in Ireland babies have been offered the MenB (meningococcal group B) vaccine as part of the routine immunisation schedule. For those born before September 2015, this vaccine is available at Boots although there is a charge.
MenC vaccine in the UK
Vaccines which protect against MenC are routinely given to children in the UK at 12-13 months of age with a booster dose for teenagers at 14 years. The UK MenC vaccination programme has been a huge success. Before the MenC vaccine was introduced in 1999 there were over 1000 cases of disease every year. Nowadays we only see around 40 of cases of MenC each year.
