Meningitis Took My Son in 24 Hours | Tucson News

A heartbreaking but vital story: when Leslie Maier’s son Chris, a high school soccer star who just scored the winning goal, died within 24 hours of being diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, it sparked a nationwide conversation. This fast-moving, often fatal illness—spread through saliva and mimicking the flu—claimed Chris’s life and forced his teammates into quarantine. One in five survivors face lifelong disabilities like amputations or deafness. Driven by grief, Leslie became a fierce advocate, helping push Arizona to become the first state to require the meningococcal vaccine for sixth graders. Health experts urge parents to talk to doctors and rely on trusted sources to protect their families. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/31a9c943828ae52f