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State M.O.M.s
Candie Benn
San Diego, California
One of five founding members of the National Meningitis Association
Mother of Melanie, Who Survived Meningococcal Disease
Melanie Benn
On Christmas Eve, Candie's daughter, Melanie, a college freshman, began to experience flu-like symptoms. When her condition worsened, she was rushed to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with meningococcemia. After a one-year battle with the disease, amputations of her arms and legs, and a kidney transplant, Melanie survived and went on to achieve great things, including earning a Master's degree in social work from UCLA and winning medals for swimming at the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Paralympics.
> Full Bio (PDF)
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Robbin Holland
Escondido, California
Mother of Thomas, Who Died of Meningococcal Disease
Thomas Kent
Robbin Holland's 19-year-old son, Thomas Kent, was an active college student with a passion for surfing when he contracted a serious and deadly bacterial infection, called meningococcal disease. On Christmas Eve 2005, Robbin received a call urging her to rush to the hospital because her son was falling in and out of consciousness. Robbin had spoken to her son, who had been sick, earlier in the week, but thought he just had the flu. Once she arrived at the hospital, Robbin learned that Thomas had been diagnosed with meningococcal disease. Thomas passed away on Christmas day, just hours after experiencing his first symptoms.
> Full Bio (PDF)
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Suzanne Graham
Fresno, California
Mother of Samantha, Who Died of Meningococcal Disease
Samantha Graham
Suzanne's daughter, Samantha, was a vibrant, outgoing 22-year-old college senior when her life was tragically cut short due to meningococcal disease. One morning in 2002, Samantha called Suzanne complaining of a sore throat, headache and stiff neck. Recognizing the symptoms of meningococcal disease, Suzanne told Samantha to go to the hospital to be tested. Initial blood tests indicated Samantha's cell count was fine and doctors concluded she was probably suffering from the flu. When getting ready to leave the hospital, Samantha's sister noticed a rash underneath her arm and immediately called for a doctor. The doctor began treating Samantha for meningococcal disease but sadly, Samantha passed away six days later.
For more information about prevention and meningococcal vaccination recommendations, click here.
"I was unaware my daughter was at increased risk for meningococcal disease,” Suzanne said. “Please protect your children, ask about vaccination."
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Jan Connon
Dana Point, California
Mother of Jered, Who Died of Meningococcal Disease
Jered Connon
Jan Connon's 18-year-old son, Jered, died in November 2002, from a deadly bacterial infection called meningococcal disease. Jared, a freshman in college, was visiting home for the weekend when he began experiencing flu-like symptoms and developed a purple rash that quickly spread across his body. As Jared's condition continued to decline, he was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with meningococcal disease. Sadly, Jared passed away only 27 hours after exhibiting his first symptoms. Unaware that adolescents and young adults are at increased risk for the disease, it wasn't until after Jered's death that Jan learned there was a vaccine available that could have potentially saved her son's life.
> Full Bio (PDF)
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Suzanne Schoelen
Red Bluff, California
Mother of Braden, Who Died of Meningococcal Disease
Braden Schoelen
Watch Braden's Story by Suzanne
Suzanne's son Braden was 10-years-old when he lost his life to meningococcal disease. In January 2010, Braden woke up with a headache, fever and pain in his arms and legs. Minutes later, he began to vomit, so thinking her son had the flu, Suzanne kept him home from school. By early afternoon he was too weak to walk, and had become disoriented and confused. Suzanne then noticed a small rash on his ear. Braden was taken to a local hospital and emergency room doctors recognized the rash as a telltale symptom of meningococcemia. They rushed him to isolation where he was placed on antibiotics. Despite doctors' efforts, Braden went into cardiac arrest and lost his battle to meningococcal disease just 17 hours after the initial onset of symptoms.
For more information about prevention and meningococcal vaccination recommendations, click here.
"I didn't know about meningococcal disease before it struck my son," said Suzanne "I encourage parents to educate themselves about this disease and speak to their children's healthcare providers about vaccination."
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