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Conor was a healthy little boy approaching his first birthday when he got Chicken Pox. No problem, we thought, better to get it out of the way. Five days later he was dead. He contracted a Strep A infection as a side effect of Chicken Pox which went undiagnosed by several doctors. It took just 48 hours to kill him. Strep A is commonly found in our throats but serious 'invasive' infections are rare, however they are on the increase. It is an opportunistic bug that tends to attack the body when it is busy fighting another disease. Children with Chicken Pox are particularly vulnerable as CP suppresses their immune systems and leaves them with open sores through which Strep A can enter. That's why the US routinely vaccinate for Chicken Pox. Invasive Strep A infections share a number of symptoms with Meningitis, but are usually more deadly. They can develop into a range of conditions which include Necrotising Fasciitis (the so called 'Flesh Eating' bug), Toxic Shock Syndrome and Septicaemia, which is what Conor died from in the end. Official figures imply there are over 2000 cases of Invasive Strep A infection in the UK each year, with a 15-50% death rate depending on their exact nature. However, the true number may be much higher as mis-diagnosis is a common problem. Strep A can be treated with antibiotics, if it's recognised in time. However, awareness levels need to be raised, both among the general public and front line medical staff, as was done for Meningitis. Also, there is an urgent need for more research, in order to provide better methods of diagnosis, prevention and cure. We started Conor's Fund to address both these issues. Through this web site, displays at fund raising events and occasional media articles, Conor's Fund seeks to promote awareness of Strep infections, their symptoms and possible consequences. Conor's Fund also provides financial support to the GPMP (Sepsis) Research Group at Hammersmith Hospital and Imperial College, one of the few research groups in the UK working to combat Strep infections. If Conor's fund saves one life, it will have been worth it. Please help us if you can. NB No costs are taken from the fund - every penny donated goes straight to the research team.Registered Charity No: 1117701 |
Latest NewsSt John's Academy raised over £600 by holding a non-uniform day - many thanks to all the staff and pupils! Thanks to everyone who supported Conor's Hike 2012 - we raised over £2100! Latest news from the research team - Big thank you to Alex Dawson who ran for Conor's Fund in the Paris Marathon this April, raising over £800! Many thanks to Graham Davis who raised over £700 for Conor's Fund by running the Bath Half Marathon in March! Conor's Hike 2011 (Yorkshire 3 Peaks) raised over £3000 - Thanks Everyone! Read more here Conor's fund helps the research team buy a new electroporator, a vital piece of kit. The last ever Conor's Cup raised £3,603.19. Thank you everyone! Deb and Gerry's Ridgeway hike last Easter raised £1,380.75. Well done girls! Read more here. A big thank you to our 2010 Conor's Fund purchases two new microfuges. Research Team Make Breakthrough. Read the press release here Conor's Fund helping to finance DNA sequencing of 'virulent' Strep A samples A huge thank you to St Mary's Infant School, Marlborough who raised £306.18 during the 06/07 school year Congratulations to Stephanie Watson who won the St Mary's balloon race in aid of Conor's fund. The winning balloon reached Gallowshields Scotland. Jan 07: Conor's Fund granted full charity status by the Charity Commission.
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