Kayla Thomas
Kayla’s Story
Kayla was only four years old when she lost her two-year-old brother, Justin, to meningococcal disease. In 1997, during their first family vacation, Justin began experiencing flu-like symptoms. Her parents took him to the doctor who diagnosed him with a cold. That night, her parents noticed Justin had a purplish rash and called an ambulance to transport him to the hospital. Within 12 hours, Justin died.
Justin’s death has impacted Kayla’s family greatly. In his memory, they built the Justin Thomas Memorial Park playground in Rutland, Vermont. Kayla did not know her brother’s death could have been prevented with a vaccine. She now works with the NMA to raise awareness about meningitis and its prevention among parents, college students and young adults.
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