Category: Personal Stories
Impact Story: Remembering February Flu Battles
February 8, 2024 - Kayauna Zabel was a 20-year-old paraprofessional who lived with her husband, brother, mother, and stepfather in Miami, Oklahoma. She called in sick to work and over the next four days she recovered at home—or so she thought. When she went back to work she began feeling worse, and the next evening, her husband, Preston, took […]
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Survivor’s Story: Christa Mitchell
January 2, 2024 - Christa Mitchell was a healthy, vibrant, dedicated wife and mother who was actively engaged in her full-time job and her son’s school and sports activities when she found herself in an unexpected health crisis—the holiday season had brought flu into her family. As her symptoms escalated, she became acutely aware of the gravity of her […]
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Survivors’ Stories: Keep Holiday Flu Prevention Top of Mind This Season
December 12, 2023 - The holiday season is in full swing. As we gather with friends and family for festive gatherings and cherished traditions, the last thing on your mind may be getting a flu shot. Yet, amidst the laughter and festivities, making sure your family is vaccinated against the flu is an essential item to check off your […]
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Survivor Family Story: Katie Miller
November 13, 2023 - Katie Miller was only 9 years old when she almost lost her younger sister, Caroline, to the flu. She recalls getting a call from her mother at middle school at the time telling her to pack a bag to go visit her sister at the hospital where she was expected to pass away. Although her […]
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Survivor’s Story: Layla Richman
September 22, 2023 - Last fall, Layla Richman’s family was doing what many families do as the weather cools: Getting deep into the routine of a new school year, taking advantage of cool weather to spend more time outdoors, and planning out Halloween costumes. But by the time Halloween came around, 3-year-old Layla had become unusually lethargic. She developed […]
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7 Reasons Fall is When Families Should Get Their Flu Shots
September 14, 2023 - Cayden was a healthy, bubbly, talkative 3 1/2-year-old who loved the color pink when she was taken to the hospital in early December 2014 sick with a fever, nausea and excessive mucus. Her family took her to the doctor twice but her condition didn’t improve. Finally, on December 5, she stopped breathing while napping and […]
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The 2022 Families Fighting Flu Influencer Campaign
December 5, 2022 - Families Fighting Flu is proud to work with 11 influencers this fall who are sharing their personal stories about the flu, and the importance of getting flu vaccines. Why influencers? These content creators are the faces of social media. We wanted to engage real people who have a direct connection to the flu to share […]
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Take Flu Symptoms Seriously In Memory of Julianna
December 17, 2021 - The following article is guest authored by Julianna’s mom, Christina Granack. Julianna was a very adventurous little 4-year-old girl! She was a huge fan of baby shark, which was her nickname, and loved watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Minnie Mouse. She loved climbing trees, biking, and exploring nature. On December 27, 2019, my daughter had […]
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5 Ways To Support Grieving Families During The Holidays
December 8, 2021 - When someone you care about is grieving, it can be tough to know what to say or do. It’s common to feel helpless, awkward, or unsure. You may be afraid of intruding, saying the wrong thing, or making the person feel even worse. Or maybe you feel there’s little you can do to make things […]
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Science Doesn’t Lie: A Bereaved Parent’s Perspective on Flu & COVID-19 Vaccines
November 12, 2021 - Jennifer Romero shares her story about her daughter’s flu death to encourage people to get vaccinated against both flu and COVID-19. Our daughter, Madison, died from H1N1 influenza A on February 26, 2020. I know that vaccination offers the best possible protection against viruses that could kill or permanently change someone else’s life. Madison was […]
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