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State M.O.M.s
Kathy Huddleson
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mother of Elizabeth, Who Died of Meningococcal Disease
Elizabeth Huddleson
One day, Kathy Huddleson's daughter, Elizabeth, a junior at the University of Northern Iowa, felt sick with what she thought was the flu. Elizabeth decided to take a shower and noticed purple spots on her skin. A few minutes later, she began to feel extremely cold and had difficulty breathing. Concerned, her boyfriend, Nick, drove her to the hospital. Doctors performed a spinal tap, but did not find signs of meningococcal disease. They told Elizabeth to go home to rest. Later that night, Elizabeth's condition worsened, and Nick brought her back to the emergency room, where he called her parents to alert them their daughter was seriously ill. The Huddlesons hurried to the hospital, but sadly were unable to see Elizabeth before she died. It wasn’t until after Elizabeth’s death that Kathy learned vaccination can prevent meningococcal disease.
For more information about prevention and meningococcal vaccination recommendations, click here.
"If I had known about the dangers of meningococcal disease, I would have had Elizabeth vaccinated. It is so important for parents to be educated about the risks and prevention of this very devastating disease."
> Listen to PSA (mp3)
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Cindy Lapel
Lansing, Iowa
Mother of Andy, who survived meningococcal disease.
Cindy Lapel was planning to get her 18-year-old son, Andy, and his twin sister, Angela, immunized in August before they left for college. Unfortunately, she was not aware that young adults are at increased risk for contracting this terrible disease, even before college. In May 2003, Andy, a high school senior, began feeling ill while pitching a baseball game. When his symptoms began to progress, Cindy brought him to the hospital where doctors realized Andy had meningococcal disease. As a result of the disease, Andy sustained organ damage and underwent amputation of some fingers and toes.
> Full Bio (PDF)
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