2 Oklahomans Share Meningitis Story Hoping to Help

By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Two women who know the dangers of meningitis first-hand are giving their support to the people of Oologah. They are also calling for mandatory vaccinations.

These women are trying to raise awareness about meningitis. They say it's preventable and they're using their own personal stories to get out their message.

From just looking at her you would never know that Amanda Moran nearly lost her life to meningitis when she was 18.

"I was misdiagnosed, a day later I was rushed to the E.R. and luckily I made it," Moran said.

Now at age 25, Moran says she will be on medication the rest of her life to due to damage done to her body.

But it's not keeping her down; she's now an activist with Meningitis Angels, an organization whose goal is to inform the public about the illness and how to prevent it.

"It's very important that our physicians know about Meningitis and our families are educated and aware," Moran said.

In 1998, Miracle Angels founder Frankie Milley lost her 18-year-old son, Ryan, to meningitis.

"We got Ryan onto a gurney and he looked at me and he said, 'Am I going to be alright?' and I never answered him because by that time I knew he probably wasn't," Milley said.

She flew to Oklahoma from Houston after learning about the outbreak. She wants to meet with state lawmakers next week to push for mandatory meningitis vaccinations for children 11 and up. There are no vaccinations for children under 11.

"These kids wouldn't fall into that category, but at least it's a step in the right direction, at least let's protect the ones we can," Milley said.

But before that, Milley and Moran will travel to Oologah with hopes of meeting with the families there.

"Whatever it takes that's what we're here for, however we can reach out to the families and support them," Milley said.

The two women plan on traveling to Oologah Saturday.

Learn more about Meningitis Angels and how you can help.

More: Oologah Meningitis Victims Quickly Overwhelmed by Illness