Lisa Snowdon has opened up on her terrifying meningitis battle, which saw her parents being “told to say their goodbyes”.
The model and This Morning regular, 53, will soon embark on a brave challenge to raise money to help fight the disease.
Next March, Lisa will take on a trek of the Sahara Desert in aid of Meningitis Now. She will also be joined on the adventure by her fiancé George Smart. The star became an ambassador of the charity back in 2011 and is now president.
Lisa Snowdon on her meningitis battle
Taking to the charity’s Instagram, she shared her terrifying encounter with the disease.
“I ignored my body and the signs it was giving me for almost a month,” Lisa recalled. “It was November 2010 – I was co-hosting the Capital Breakfast show daily, early starts and long days, running from event to event, convincing myself that the crushing headaches, the fever, the stiff neck were just end-of-year exhaustion. No amount of painkillers touched the pain.”
My parents were called and told that I was incredibly sick and they should say their goodbyes.
“When I switched on the Bond Street Christmas lights, I was on the verge of collapse,” she continued. “Hours later I was in hospital the doctors not knowing what was wrong with me. My parents were called and told that I was incredibly sick and they should say their goodbyes. It’s was a very scary time. After endless tests and scans it was determined that I had Viral Meningitis. I was very poorly and in hospital for 10 days. Even now, over a decade on, I know I’m not quite the same – I struggle with headaches, fatigue and my memory isn’t as sharp as it was.”
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‘Meningitis doesn’t discriminate’
Lisa then added: “I was one of the lucky ones, so many people lose their lives to this disease and those who survive live with life limiting conditions.”
She encouraged people to inform themselves on the symptoms of the horrible illness and also to trust their instincts.
“Meningitis doesn’t discriminate, doesn’t care how busy you are, how old you are, or how healthy you think you are. It can strike anyone, at any age,” she warned.
She explained that her Sahara Desert trek will go towards helping to ensure young people, the elderly and anyone who is vulnerable has access to the Meningitis B vaccine or a booster.
Read More: Concerns for Lisa Snowdon as she admits ‘a few things need investigating’ following scan
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