Girl fighting for life after contracting deadly bacteria ‘at Christmas market’
A teenage girl was left fighting for her life in intensive care after contracting a rare condition believed to have been caused by an acute bout of food poisoning.
Jemima Hay has launched a fundraising page for younger sister Antonia, 17, who fell ill after visiting a Christmas market in Buckinghamshire late last month.
The aspiring actress was found to have likely contracted Shiga toxin-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (STEC-HUS), caused by e.coli.
Her sister describes how she has endured several surgeries, including having part of her bowel removed, adding the ‘nightmare’ ordeal has ‘left our family broken’.
Antonia was allowed to spend Christmas Day at home, she adds, before heading back to hospital on Boxing Day for more treatment.
The fundraiser has generated more than £7,000 in donations since it was launched a week ago.
Jemima writes of her sister: ‘She is currently lucky to be alive and has continued to show amazing determination and strength throughout this time, despite the immense stress, pain and trauma – all combined with an extreme phobia of injections.
‘Anybody who has met Antonia will know that she is the most kind, caring, outgoing person and lights up any room she walks into.
‘Despite going through the toughest time in her life, all she has cared about is everybody else and how they are feeling, still trying to make everybody laugh.’
Jemima says the donations ‘will go towards Antonia’s future’, as well as supporting the family while their parents take time off work to stay by her bedside.
She adds: ‘[Antonia] feels as if her dreams have been ripped away from her, as her studies on her performing arts course will be severely impacted.
‘It is thanks to the kindness of her friends and family and support from people in the community that she has made it this far and will continue to stay strong.’
In an update posted on Christmas Eve, she added: ‘This money will help her immensely with her ongoing treatments, recovery and expenses, including following her performing arts dreams.
‘We would like to thank every single one of you for all of your support and donations, it means the world to us and Antonia.’
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