Personal Stories
Grieving Mom Urges Parents to Get Annual Flu Vaccinations
Two-year-old Reese was an energetic, healthy toddler loved dearly by her entire family when her life was cut short by the flu. Reese became ill with what her family assumed was a cold, but turned out to be Influenza B. She seemed like she was doing well, even getting back to eating and playing, but…
Read MoreDon’t Delay, Fight Flu Today!
This year more than ever, getting a flu shot is not just about protecting yourself, but also your family, loved ones and community. This flu season, we’ve created storytelling tools to help spread the word about how serious the flu can be, and the importance of seasonal vaccination, especially this flu season. Get involved and…
Read MoreHow You Can Make a Difference This Flu Season
Families Fighting Flu was founded by families whose loved ones have suffered serious medical complications or died from influenza. We share our personal stories because we want everyone to understand that flu is unpredictable and potentially deadly, but can be prevented through annual flu vaccination. The Importance of Sharing Stories According to cognitive psychologist Jerome…
Read MoreWhen the Holidays Aren’t Happy – How To Manage Grief and Support Others
Angie Wehrkamp’s daughter Gianna died suddenly from the flu when she was 2 years old. Angie serves as Secretary for the Families Fighting Flu Board of Directors. The most wonderful time of the year will never be as wonderful as it once was for someone who has lost a child or other loved one. I…
Read MoreA Survivor’s Perspective on Flu
The following blog post is written by Madi Allen, who survived a 93-day flu hospitalization in 2011. Read her flu story here. In 2011, I was twelve years old and my life was like any other kid my age. What started as a weekend that was supposed to be spent with friends quickly turned into…
Read MoreDealing with Grief on Father’s Day
Father’s Day is June 21, 2020. While for most this is a happy day, for fathers who have lost children it can be a difficult reminder of their loss. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to say and what not to say to a grieving parent. Follow the list below for guidelines written…
Read MoreMy Reaction to COVID-19 as a Mother Whose Daughter Was on a Ventilator Due to Flu
Written by Families Fighting Flu Treasurer, Jennifer Miller. Read her daughter’s flu story here. When I first began to hear about patients’ experiences being hospitalized with COVID-19, I had an uneasy feeling that this new virus was similar to the flu virus that almost took my daughter’s life. While flu and COVID-19 are different in…
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