Advocate Profile, Michele Davidson

Michele Davidson was not aware that her 16-year-old son, Jon, was at increased risk for contracting meningococcal disease. Jon was a junior in high school with a passion for basketball that he shared with his four older brothers when he lost his life to meningococcal disease. On August 1, 2005, Jon was feeling a little under the weather and was unable to play in his basketball game that evening. Later that night, Jon developed a fever and began vomiting. By the following morning Jon’s symptoms had become so severe, Michele and her husband rushed him to the hospital. Doctors suspected Jon had contracted bacterial meningitis and immediately gave him antibiotics. Unfortunately, Jon succumbed to the disease less than two hours later.

“Early symptoms of meningococcal disease can imitate other common illnesses, which is why vaccination is the most effective method of prevention,” said Michele.