Walking To Raise Awareness of Meningitis - In Memory of Dion

Dion Hodder, affectionately known as D to his mates and Dion Ty when he was in trouble with his mum, was taken from his family in October 2018 by meningococcal septicaemia at the tender age of 16. Dion had been experiencing a bit of a cough and his mum suggested he see the doctor. “They’re just gonna say it’s a virus and I need to rest,” said Dion. I trusted my son, he was very body aware, being a St John cadet.

Dion was preparing for a cadet camp on Motutapu Island, organising his gear and messaging his girlfriend. I drove him and two others to Wellsford to catch the bus. I kissed and cuddled my son, told him I loved him and sent him on his way. As always, Dion signed “I love you” through the window as the bus pulled away.

The following afternoon, we got the call that every parent dreads. Dion was seriously ill and being airlifted to Auckland hospital. By the time we arrived at the hospital my darling boy was covered in wires and tubes, machines breathing for him, and blotching appeared on his skin. 15 minutes later his heart stopped and the medical team were unable to revive him. He had only been in hospital for six hours.

Dion's mum Todd wants to help prevent this from happening to other families and is planning to walk 150km (the price of a meningococcal vaccine is $150) in October to raise $1,500 for the Meningitis Foundation to enable them to continue to raise awareness and educate more young people about the signs & symptoms of this deadly disease.

Every second counts