What was meant to be a fun vacation turned into an unimaginable tragedy for one family.
A heartbreaking loss Jaxon Knowles, a 4-year-old boy, died unexpectedly after a family trip to Blackpool. His parents, Sammy and Jordan, had hoped to make lasting memories with their son. But just days after returning home, their world changed forever.
Feeling unwell After returning from their trip on Sunday, February 16, Jaxon started to feel ill. His mother recalls that Jaxon complained of pain under his arm, then fell asleep for a while. Later, he woke up saying his stomach hurt.
Comforting him As Jaxon wasn’t feeling well, Sammy let him sleep in her bed, which he often did when he wasn’t well. Sammy gave him paracetamol, a treatment he’d used for chest infections before. But the next morning, things took a terrible turn.
A shocking change Sammy woke up around 5 a.m. and used her phone’s flashlight to check Jaxon’s temperature. That’s when she saw a rash on his body. She first thought it was chickenpox, but quickly realized it was much worse.
The struggle The rash worsened, and Jaxon’s condition got worse. His mouth and tongue began to swell, and he vomited. Sammy called 999, and as they waited for the ambulance, Jaxon could barely breathe.
A heartbreaking loss When they reached the hospital, Jaxon’s condition was critical. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, Jaxon’s heart stopped. After briefly reviving him, he passed away on February 17, the cause confirmed as meningococcal disease, a severe type of bacterial meningitis.
Spreading awareness Devastated by their loss, Jaxon’s parents are now sharing their story to raise awareness about meningitis. They hope their experience can help other families. To honor Jaxon, a charity page has been set up to support Meningitis Now, an organization that helps those affected by the disease.