• Friends and family of Lila-Jane Nagle gathered at the Condobolin Public School on Friday to celebrate her life, and to raise awareness of Meningitis within the Condobolin community.

By Olivia McInnes

 A memorial service was held at the Condobolin Public School on Friday in memory of Lila-Jane Nagle.

The Condobolin Community was both shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of the much loved little girl last August.

Lila’s mother Belinda Nagle, explained the chain of events leading to her daughters sudden passing.

“Lila woke up on the 28th of August 2011, complaining of a headache.

We assumed that after having such a wonderful day at the Condobolin show the day before, that she was simply exhausted from all the excitement.

“At 4pm Lila vomited and said she was feeling exhausted.

“By 10pm we couldn’t wake her and by 11pm she was on life support.

“The life support was turned off on the 29th,” Belinda recalled.

Despite showing very few of the symptoms, it was determined that Lila’s cause of death was Meningitis.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms and less commonly by certain drugs.

Meningitis can be life threatening because of the inflammations proximity to the brain and spinal cord, therefore the condition is classified as a medical emergency.

The most common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting and inability to tolerate light or loud noises.

Sometimes, especially in small children, only nonspecific symptoms may be present such as irritability or drowsiness.

A rash may be present which may indicate a particular cause of meningitis, for example meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria may be accompanied by a characteristic rash.

Belinda says that there is no awareness program for meningitis in NSW, and that Lila had meningitis three times in her short lifetime, but sadly they didn’t realise until it was too late.

“It can affect anyone of any age, and it can kill within 24 hours; it took Lila’s life within 12 hours,” she said.

The Memorial Day for Lila held at CPS on Friday was for her school friends, who placed a plaque and planted a tree for Lila in the memory garden.

Belinda said the day was also about raising awareness within the community.

“We want to raise awareness about meningitis and we hope that by doing this it will save peoples lives,” she said.

If you would like more information on meningitis, pamphlets are available at the Melrose Street Medical Centre, or you can visit http://www.meningitis.com.au.