Tragic meningitis girl, 16, gives gift of life to others
THE family of a 16-year-old who died from meningitis have paid tribute to her, saying her organs have been donated to give others ‘the chance of life.’
GCSE student Joanna Yates, who lived in Salford and attended Canon Slade School in Bolton, died on Wednesday after contracting the bacterial infection.
Parents Ian and Wendy, and brother Denholm, said Joanna always ‘lived life to the full’ and was a caring and compassionate young woman.
Ian told the M.E.N. that the speed with which she deteriorated was shocking and took the hospital staff completely by surprise.
“She had fought many health issues, most notably PTSD, since her shocking road accident four years ago but sadly, due to the severity of the infection, she had no chance,” he said.
“Wendy and I decided that Joanna would not have hesitated to volunteer to be an organ donor, as a vegetarian with strong beliefs and a caring, compassionate personality.
“Joanna’s healthy organs have given others the chance of life.
“She was talented in so many ways, a gifted musician from an early age, she spent most of her life attending the outstanding MAPAS (Music and Performing Arts Service of Salford), learning the piano, violin, viola and singing. She also loved to dance, again spending most of her life attending the wonderful Miss Joanne Farnell School of Dancing.
At school, she excelled in art and had recently become a splendid baker at home.
“She lived life to the full, loved her friends, especially her boyfriend Matty who made her so happy. She loved Manchester and loved going to gigs. Just last week she was in the mosh pit at an Anthrax concert!
“She was equally at home playing her viola in orchestra and she was preparing for a singing exam in March.
“She was studying hard for her GCSEs. Even on her last morning at home, maths revision took up most of that morning.
“She achieved an awful lot in her short life and saw a lot of what life can throw at you, both good and bad, more than most 16-year-olds.
“We will never see her fulfill her potential and that is one of the hardest things to cope with. We are utterly devastated.
“What we do have are many happy memories of our kind, sweet, warm, generous, beautiful Joanna. We love you and will miss you always.”
Ian says that his daughter was up to date with all of her vaccinations and injections, and other than vomiting and headaches, displayed none of the highlighted symptoms of meningitis, such as a blotchy rash that doesn’t disappear under a glass.
He added that the family have been overwhelmed with support and that details of Joanna’s funeral will follow in due course.
A fundraising campaign in Joanna’s memory has already raised more than £800 for Meningitis Now.
It was set up by close friend Freya Jade Rushworth who described the teenager as a ‘brilliant, talented art- ist, singer and musician.’ Her latest update on the page on Saturday said: “Everyone should be very proud of their donations that are to go towards helping save lives of children with meningitis.”