BBC Breakfast presenter Luxmy Gopal was visibly moved after witnessing the devastating account of mum Sammy Knowles, 40, who was overcome with emotion following the heart-wrenching loss of her son Jaxon.
Sammy and her partner Jordan featured in a pre-recorded segment on the programme to shed light on the dangers of meningitis, having suffered the heartbreaking loss of their four-year-old son Jaxon to the illness.
With tears streaming down her face, Sammy shared the harrowing last moments she experienced with her son Jaxon, who developed a rash that signalled something was terribly wrong.
Upon noticing the rash, which resembled "burst blood vessels," she immediately called for an ambulance. En route to the hospital, the paramedics delivered the devastating news that Jaxon had "suspected meningitis".
The medical team informed them that a group of 15 professionals would be ready to receive them at the hospital, a moment when Sammy felt her "heart just sank", finding it difficult to continue recounting the tragic events through her tears, reports the Express.
Overwhelmed by grief, Jaxon's mother tearfully recounted: "When we got there they were waiting and they let us go with him, they didn't stop us but by the time we got from the house to the hospital the rash had just ravaged his body."
Tragically, Jaxon passed away at Rotherham Hospital within hours of Sammy's emergency call. Despite their profound grief, the parents are courageously choosing to share their experience in the hope of raising awareness and potentially saving lives.
In honour of their son, Jaxon's parents have established a memory fund, directing all donations to the charity Meningitis Now.
BBC Breakfast presenters Ben Thompson and Luxmy, back in the studio after witnessing the heart-wrenching footage, sought insights from Dr Tom Nutt, CEO of Meningitis Now, to shed light on the matter.
Opening the segment, Luxmy remarked on the gravity of the situation, saying: "Such a heartbreaking story, every parent's worst nightmare." She then posed a critical question: "Part of this, is the speed at which this happened, is that usual?"
Dr Nutt confirmed the rapidity of the illness: "Yes it is, one of the most devastating aspects of meningitis is the disease is the speed at which it takes effect on the body and as you've heard in the terrible case of Jaxon just now is that meningitis can kill within 24 hours."
Highlighting the severity, he cautioned: "Sadly one in ten people affected by bacterial meningitis will die. Unfortunately Jaxon's case is tragic though it is one that we hear day in, day out at Meningitis Now."
Ben brought attention to Jaxon's parents' quick actions in recognising symptoms and seeking medical attention, prompting him to ask the expert: "What can people do here?".
Dr Nutt offered some hope: "Ultimately, there is good news and that in the long run there are vaccines that can prevent meningitis so parents of young children should be aware that there are vaccines on the NHS and mostly those are done through GPs and schools so if you're ever offered a vaccine for your child or yourself then obviously the best thing to do is to take that up because it could save a life."
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