BY MARK McKELVEY
SWIFT action and diligent hospital staff averted tragedy for the McNamee family in October last year when their 11-month-old daughter Saoirse was suddenly struck with a severe strain of meningitis.
Anthony McNamee and his wife Sharon realised every parent's nightmare when Saoirse who is now a healthy, bubbly one year old was struck down by this deadly disease in a matter of hours.
Having lived through this nightmare Anthony and Sharon with the support of family and friends are holding a number of charity events for the Meningitis Research Foundation. The first this Sunday at McGurk's Bar in Omagh with a wide selection of musical entertainment. Entry £5.
In the early hours one Sunday morning, Saoirse's condition rapidly deteriorated when her temperature suddenly spiked and Sharon discovered a rash on her legs.
The Omagh couple immediately took Saoirse to the Tyrone County Hospital where doctors recognised that she had contracted meningitis.
Anthony explains how the terrifying event unfolded, "She was agitated throughout the night and at 4.30am while changing her nappy there was no mistaking the deep purple rash on her leg. We panicked straight away and took her immediately to the Urgent Care Centre at the 'County Hospital.
"As soon as the doctor looked at her he was on the phone to Enniskillen as he knew immediately how serious it was. Before we left that doctor gave her a shot of antibiotics and put her in my arms and told me to get to the Erne, he said it would be quicker for me to drive than waiting for an ambulance which could be 10 mile out the road.
"By Irvinestown she fell asleep and we couldn't get her to waken and wasn't responding to Sharon. I was then stopped by police, not for speeding but for having my fog lights on. I jumped out and told them what was happening and they said that was all right but turn off your fog lights.
"We got to Enniskillen where we were met by two nurses who were waiting for us and it was all systems go with specialists waiting to save her."
It was then an anxious two day wait before Saoirse's condition began to improve, when she awoke on the Tuesday evening smiling at her parents.
Saoirse was diagnosed meningococcal septicemia, a deadly strain of the virus and it became apparent that Anthony and Sharon's quick action is what saved their daughters life.
Saoirse, unlike many other children that contract this disease, has now made a full recovery and Anthony believes this has a lot to do with the actions of the doctor on call at the Urgent Care Centre in Omagh.
Anthony thanked Urgent Care Centre in Omagh that is currently under threat for helping save Saoirse's life.
He said, "I never got a chance to personally thank that doctor on call, but his actions of giving that shot of antibiotics started the fight against the disease and in my opinion and the opinion of the specialist that Saoirse may not be with us today if it wasn't for him as every minute counted."
Anthony realises the importance of the valued work this charity carry out in funding ways to treat the virus and educating parents on how to recognise symptoms early, which like in their case may well save a child's life.
"We want to make as many people aware that this is a deadly disease and this charity needs all the help they can get as it depends on how early you get the child on whether they will survive."
The concert is being supported by various local artists, commencing at 8.30pm and promises to be a great evening of entertainment. To purchase tickets for this fundraising event or for any further information, contact McGurk's Bar, Hamilton's Spar Tamlaight Road, X-Treme Hair and Beauty Salon or any Omacab taxi. (See add on page 2 for further details)
Anthony and six friends will also be raising money by doing a sky dive on May 10.
