THOMAS' STORY
Thomas Snell, or ‘Snelly’ as he was affectionately known, was a popular, bright and mature 13-year-old from the Northern Territory. A natural and talented athlete and winner of many ‘Best and Fairest Awards’. Thomas played cricket, AFL and rugby union, and could often be found outdoors, fishing, skiing, or bike-riding, or perfecting his cricket bowling skills. He was an animal lover and would spend countless hours with his dogs, pigs and chickens.
Thomas was a keen and talented sportsman. In late June 2017, Thomas was in Brisbane, representing the Northern Territory in the Queensland Rugby Union Junior State Championships. Several of Thomas’ teammates had contracted the flu, and he became unwell the night before a game. A GP visit determined Thomas was suffering from ‘gastro’. He was sent home with tablets and advised to rest, but his condition quickly deteriorated – his breathing becoming shallow, and his skin discoloured.
Only five hours after seeing the GP, Thomas was taken to Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. He was already in complete organ failure.
Thomas spent the next three weeks on a distressing rollercoaster ride in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), being placed on two consecutive ECMO life support machines, and fighting very hard to survive. His lungs were damaged from pneumonia and ongoing infections that had triggered septic shock, and he was facing amputation of his hands and legs. This time was incredibly difficult for Thomas and his family.
Twenty days after being admitted to the ICU, Thomas’ condition had deteriorated even further. His parents, together with his medical team, made the devastating decision to turn off his life support.
When this time came, Thomas was wheeled outside on his hospital bed and took his last breaths as the sun set, his family by his side.
Thomas will always be remembered as a loyal and humble young man, with a contagious laugh and dry sense of humour. The backyard cricket pitch where Thomas spent countless hours is now his resting place, and a special place for his family.
Thomas’ family are passionate about promoting sepsis awareness, in the hopes that no other family has to go through losing a loved one to a preventable illness. They have established a foundation in memory of Thomas, and are campaigning to raise funds and increase public education about sepsis.
Sepsis awareness saves lives. By knowing the signs and symptoms of sepsis, treatment can be given before it is too late. Thomas’ legacy continues to live on and we hope that many lives are saved through awareness from his story. If you suspect sepsis, don’t hesitate to ask the question!