Every Year, Upton High’s Sixth Form Body nominates a charity to support, aiming to raise awareness and donations. This year Phoebe and I put forward the Menigitis Research Foundation, as it is a charity that works to combat Meningitis and Septicaemia- diseases which we are both familiar.

Meningitis is the swelling of the meninges, which is the lining around the brain and spinal cord, caused mainly by germs entering the body, and septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by the same germs that can cause meningitis. Meningitis and septicaemia are illnesses that can kill in hours. Teenagers and young adults are at increased risk of meningitis and septicaemia; this is because teenagers and young adults are much more likely to harbour these bacteria (meningococcal) than other age groups, which increases their risk of disease.

Diagnosed in Janurary 2018, Phoebe contracted meningitis- a disease that is common amongst our age group (students)- Phoebe was lucky to recover, but spent a long period of time in Intensive Care and was extremely ill. Not knowing the symptoms of meningitis, Phoebe was unaware she was fighting a potentially deadly disease, and consequently wants to promote awareness amongst our peers during the many Charity Week events we hold.

My Grandad passed away in 2015 after developing septicaemia. As Grandad was in and out of hospital for the last twenty years of his life, I was shocked when my parents told me that he was gone because I did not understand the nature of his death. The Meningitis Research Foundation provides help to bereaved loved ones, but more importantly has informed me of symptoms of both diseases; as septicaemia can kill in hours (meningitis often leading to septicaemia), we believe that discussing symptoms in our school could have amazing consequences, but Phoebe and I would appreciate any donations to the Meningitis Research Foundation as well. 

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