Friends, family and staff gathered at St Christopher’s CE High School in Accrington, UK today to memorialize the passing of 15 year-old Megan Lee on New Year’s Day. Megan, a student at the school, suffered an anaphylactic reaction after consuming a take-out meal from a local restaurant two days before.
During the service, a memorial garden was dedicated complete with a willow sculpture bearing a plaque reading: ‘In memory of Megan Lee. Always in our hearts’.
Speaking after the ceremony, Megan’s father, Adam Lee, said: “The support from the students and staff has been phenomenal. We want to thank the school and community as a whole. They have really come out and supported us. We are extremely proud of Megan’s friends.”
Megan’s mother, Gemma Lee, added: “We are really proud of Megan. Today was just an example of how loved she was.”
Megan’s parents have become active fundraisers for Britain’s Anaphylaxis Campaign.
Headteacher Richard Jones remarked: “Today was an occasion when the school came together to support the Lee family, to remember Megan and give thanks for her life in a memorial which was fitting, appropriate and emotional but most of all joyful.”
Once again, our sincere condolences go out to the Lee family. We wish them much success in their campaign to bring awareness to the dangers of anaphylaxis in their daughter’s memory.
When we learned of Megan’s passing, we published an article with suggestions for dining out with food allergies as well as our recommendations for an overhaul of the current patchwork of local and state regulations in the US regarding the preparation of food with respect to allergens. We urge you to review that article now and advocate for change to prevent similar tragedies to Megan’s.
