Tresa Whitehead
ASMP Advocate

My daughter, Sarah Beth, was a healthy, athletic 14-year-old who was full of faith and loved by everyone who knew her when she tragically lost her life to meningococcal disease. One night, Sarah Beth woke up with a severe headache and chills. She soon began vomiting but told me to go back to sleep, assuring her that she would be fine. However, a short time later, I found Sarah Beth unconscious and immediately called 911.

At the emergency room, Sarah Beth was diagnosed with meningococcal disease. Her organs began to fail, and she struggled to breathe. Hours later, doctors transported Sarah Beth to a hospital better equipped to handle her condition, but she never regained consciousness. She passed away on March 11, 2005.

This devastating disease is particularly dangerous because its symptoms closely resemble the flu, making it difficult to identify and diagnose. Our adolescents and teens are at increased risk, and the best way to protect them is through prevention. I urge you to discuss meningococcal vaccination with your children’s healthcare provider and ensure that they are protected against all five serogroups of bacteria most likely to cause disease.