Nalia Tafua

Utah Department of Health

Media Contact
(801) 994-7222N_tafua@udh.com

Mothers of Meningitis Victims Decorate the Town Burgundy

Holly McDonald is a mother on a mission, teaming with Utahs Department of Health to
raise awareness in Utah about Meningitis
PLEASANT GROVE, UT Oct. 24 My son, Ricky, came home from school and
wasnt feeling well, said Holly McDonald, a local resident in Pleasant Grove, Utah. She
thought it was a common cold and sent him off to bed. Several hours later, McDonald
went to check on her teenage son and noticed the change in his complexion.
Ricky was unconscious and running a high temperature. McDonald immediately called
911. When the paramedics arrived Rickys body went into shock and he fell into a
coma. At the hospital he struggled for several hours before he was pronounced dead.
Ricky had his entire life ahead of him, but he was taken quickly by the silent killer that
is meningitis. I wish I knew earlier what I could have done to prevent it, McDonald
said.
Meningitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Research
done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says teenagers are at a
greater risk of meningitis infection due to their active lifestyles, but this disease is
preventable through vaccinations.
Devastated after losing her only son, McDonald reached out to Utahs Department of
Health on Facebook to connect with other mothers in Utah who also lost their children
to meningitis. She later became actively involved with UDOH to raise awareness about
this silent killer.
On Nov. 10 she will be decorating her town the color burgundy for meningitis. I want
to help parents prevent meningitis from affecting their teenagers, or at the very least
help them recognize the early stages, McDonald said.
Dr. Jackson Johnson, lead physician at CDC, said symptoms associated with
meningitis can be difficult to recognize. Some of the symptoms include severe

headache, stiff neck, cold hands and feet, confusion, seizures, high fever, nausea and
vomiting.
If your child has symptoms and has been around someone with meningitis, contact a
doctor immediately, Dr. Johnson said. Speed is essential when it comes to treating
this potentially deadly disease.
Smoking, being exposed to smoke, kissing, living in close quarters and sharing
drinking glasses, eating utensils and water bottles increases the risk of contracting
meningitis.
McDonald is decorating her town burgundy on the one-year anniversary of Rickys
death. UDOH is supporting her cause with their campaign to raise awareness about
meningitis and how to prevent it.
McDonald said in conjunction with raising awareness for meningitis the cities of
Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, Salt Lake City, Provo and
Farmington will have small assemblies at local schools sponsored by the Department
of Health.
Although death is a rare consequence, one in five people who survive meningococcal
meningitis suffer permanent physical and mental consequences. Parents like Holly
McDonald wish they had known how to prevent this disease or how to recognize the
first symptoms.
The Department of Health are encouraging parents of teenagers to talk to their local
health care providers about the booster vaccination available for their teens. For more
information about meningitis and local assemblies sponsored by UDOH visit their
website.