TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - September 23, 2014 made five years since local teen Lawson Mayfield passed away and her family is determined to not let her death be in vain.
The Lawson Mayfield Memorial Foundation is hosting Run for Lawson this upcoming Saturday, November 1st, right here in Tallahassee, in hopes of educating others about bacterial meningitis.
The disease struck Lawson so suddenly, that it took her family by surprise, since she normally suffered from migraines. The teen had been complaining about headaches after a two-week trip to Germany. Monday night, the family decided to take her to the emergency room. On Tuesday, results from a spinal tap revealed that Lawson indeed had meningitis. By Wednesday, she was gone.
Lawson's mother, Cathy Mayfield, sat down with WTXL Midday's Jade Bulecza and expressed why she felt the need to spread the word about bacterial meningitis.
"We made it a mission to try and go out to educate people, have them become aware of the symptoms," said Mayfield.
Thanks to that determination, The Lawson Mayfield Memorial Foundation, has raised thousands of dollars for the National Meningitis Association.
This Saturday's run is another attempt to not only raise more funds for NMA and remember Lawson, but to also make sure other teens are properly prepared to prevent the disease.
Local schools are encouraged to attend the event as attention will be brought to the need for booster vaccinations between the ages of 16 and 21. In addition to supporting a good cause, the top three schools with the largest attendance will receive cash prizes.
The Run for Lawson includes a One Mile Fun Run/Walk as well as a 5k and 10k race. It all kicks off Saturday, November 1, beginning 8 a.m. at Holy Comforter Episcopal School and Welaunee Plantation grounds – 2001 Fleischmann Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308.
For more information and how to register, please visit: http://www.runforlawson.org or call (850) 528-2037.
