Advocate Profile, Nanci Phillips

Nanci Phillip’s son Matt was 17-years-old when he contracted meningococcal disease. One January night, Matt woke up with a high fever. Nanci thought it was the flu and gave him Tylenol. That morning, he was weak, vomiting, confused, and complaining of ankle pain. Nanci brought him to the emergency room where Matt lost consciousness and developed a purplish rash. A doctor recognized the rash as a symptom of meningococcemia, a blood infection. As a result of the disease, Matt lost the tips of two fingers, and his memory, hearing and kidney function are impaired. Although doctors told Matt his legs would never be able to support his weight again, through rehabilitation he is now able to walk.

“I was a registered nurse at the time my son got sick, but I had never heard of meningococcal disease. I didn’t know what to look for and didn’t know that vaccination could help,” said Nanci. “I encourage other nurses, doctors and parents to help protect their patients and children by having them vaccinated against meningococcal disease.”