Personal Stories


Celebrating Our Nation’s Investment in Public Health and Vaccines

As people across the nation are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day, I’m reminded of how grateful I am to live in a country that values freedom.  As a...


How Meningitis Nearly Killed Me, Then Changed My Life for the Better

By Andy Marso I occasionally look at pictures of myself on a spring break trip in 2004, about a month before I almost died of a meningococcal infection. I...


Amanda Peet Continues Her Vaccine Advocacy on Behalf of Children Worldwide

By: Amy Pisani, Executive Director, Every Child By Two Last year I  traveled alongside Vaccine Ambassador/Actor Amanda Peet to Kenya where we witnessed the incredible work being done to ensure...


Mother’s Day Lost

Today we highlight a new blog called Vaccines Rock, which is part of a new national campaign from Meningitis Angel’s called “Don’t Wait 2 Late 2 Vaccinate!” The blog...


Having an Autistic Brother Made Me More Skeptical of Vaccines

In today’s guest post Hannah, one of the student filmmakers involved in the making of the documentary Invisible Threat, explains how having an autistic brother, and conducting research for...


Invisible Threat Filmmaker Discusses Journalistic Integrity

Invisible Threat is a 40-minute documentary produced by California high school students which explores the science of vaccination and how misperceptions have led some parents to make dangerous decisions.  ...


Talking About Immunizations Positively and With Purpose

We often hear the claim that the public is growing increasingly anxious about the safety of childhood vaccinations.  We’re even told that this is leading parents to refrain from getting...


Infant Dies at 38 Days But Her Story Tries to Save Lives

After five years and four miscarriages, Katie and Craig Van Tornhout celebrated the birth of their daughter Callie.   Although she arrived a few weeks early, she was truly their miracle baby.  But their joy quickly turned...


Mother’s Facebook Updates Detail Son’s Tragic Death from Pertussis

Brady was born on November 20, 2011 and weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs., 6 oz.  His parents, Jon and Kathy, thought they were taking every precaution to protect their baby.  They even...


Your Nagging Cough Could Kill Someone’s Baby

I could hear it clearly from across the auditorium.  A distinctive cough in a very small child.  It was painful to my ears and I brought a sinking feeling to...