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Vanessa

We wanted to help with fundraising, make people aware of the symptoms and find a vaccine for this disease

Vanessa Whiting

Community ambassador

In 1992, my son Luke, died from meningitis aged 22 months. He initially had flu-like symptoms, but the doctor thought he’d had a convulsion, so he was referred to the local hospital. After a lumbar puncture and blood tests, he was diagnosed with meningitis and transferred to Guy’s Hospital, but died a few hours later.

This all took place in less than 24 hours and is one of the reasons why my family and I decided to support Steve Dayman’s work in 1992. We wanted to help with fundraising, make people aware of the symptoms and find a vaccine for this disease. Being a Community Ambassador for Meningitis Now is a great way to achieve these aims.

Get in touch with Vanessa here
  • Holly M

    Holly McNaughton

    Community ambassador

    Hi, I’m Holly. I first became familiar with meningitis when my mum contracted it on 14th April 2012.

  • Anne Cadden

    Anne Cadden

    Community ambassador

    In January 2001, my daughter, Helen, died from meningococcal septicaemia aged 18 while in her first year at university. A friend from Helen’s school, Richard Murphy, also died from meningitis seven weeks later at another university.

  • Lesley Leaver

    Lesley Leaver

    Community ambassador

    I lost my husband, Kevin, to meningococcal septicaemia in January 2000, just five hours after being admitted to hospital. I have been supported by Meningitis Now ever since. 

  • Anne Gaston

    Anne Gaston

    Community ambassador

    My son is now 21, but when he was six months old, he was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis. Thankfully it turned out not to be meningitis, but it made me realise how little I knew about this devastating disease