Advocate Profile, Doogie Mayberry

Doogie’s daughter, Kaitie, almost lost her life to a serious bacterial infection called meningococcal disease, when she was a freshman in college. Kaitie went to the emergency room with a migraine and was then admitted for what doctors suspected was a severe case of the flu. During the six hours it took the Mayberry’s to drive to the hospital, Kaitie’s condition worsened. Doctors placed Kaitie in a medically induced coma and told her parents she had a one percent chance of survival. Kaitie remained in the hospital for weeks before her condition began to improve. Doogie feels very fortunate that her daughter did not suffer long-term health consequences as the disease can lead to organ failure or limb amputations.

“Be aware that you can protect your children and your families from meningococcal disease,” said Doogie. “My family had to learn the hard way and now I want everyone to know that there is a vaccine available that can help prevent this devastating disease.”