Advocate Profile, Christina Blank

Christina was just 12 years old when she lost her mother, Annette, to bacterial meningitis in 2002. Her brother, Justin, was only 3. That January, following a brief illness, Annette complained of a headache before heading to bed. In the middle of the night, Christina’s father found Annette lying on the floor unconscious and immediately called an ambulance. At the hospital doctors tested Annette’s spinal fluid and determined that she had meningococcal disease. After a few days in the hospital, she passed away.

Christina still misses her mother every day. She did not know her mother’s death could have been prevented with a vaccine. Now, she is dedicated to raising awareness about prevention.