Friends of Shropshire schoolgirl Charlotte Hartey, who died after her tonsillitis was diagnosed as swine flu, have launched a wristband campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of over-the-phone medical diagnosis.The wristbands will be available to buy from various businesses and shops throughout Oswestry as part of a campaign by the 16-year-old’s family to halt phone diagnosis.

Charlotte, of Quinta, Weston Rhyn, near Oswestry, died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on July 31. She had been diagnosed over the phone by a GP as having swine flu and was prescribed Tamiflu.

But her condition worsened and she died at the hospital. Doctors told her family she in fact had tonsillitis, not swine flu.

Since her death a Facebook petition and campaign, as well as a charitable foundation, have been launched by her family who are calling on the Government to scrap over-the-phone diagnosis.

The wristband initiative is the latest chapter in the campaign and is being put together by Charlotte’s friend Joe Jones, who read a poem he had written in Charlotte’s memory at the popular Oswestry School pupil’s funeral.

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For a year and a half, the Arkansas Hospital Association has worked on a new color-coded wristband program to ensure greater patient safety. That program is expected to launch at Baxter Regional Medical Center Oct. 1.
A 2008 incident in Pennsylvania prompted the move toward standardization in Arkansas. According to the AHA Web site, confusion regarding wristband color resulted in a patient being labeled “Do Not Resuscitate” in error.

Three different-colored clips will now be used by hospitals throughout Arkansas to identify the top three patient risk groups:

One of the most amazing things my wife ever has purchased weighs less than an ounce and cost $1.

My yellow LiveStrong bracelet is almost six years old. I wear it every day to remind me of the fight against cancer. Cyclist Lance Armstrong sells the silicone wristbands for a buck. My wife bought several when her son, Chad, was diagnosed with cancer. I put the bracelet on my left wrist in December, 2003, and never have taken it off.

Chad’s cancer is in remission, but there is no reason to remove the LiveStrong bracelet. There always seems to be someone we know who has been diagnosed with this dreaded disease. Al Overstreet, one of my good friends, had his prostate removed a little over a year ago. My daughter had her thyroid taken out last summer. Joe Cusumano, another longtime friend, is battling the illness. Cancer seems to be a disease that we can’t beat, no matter how much money is raised for research.

An assistant coach and teacher’s 9-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia. Story by Susan Sullivan
GRAFTON – A nine-year-old boy diagnosed with leukemia is getting some help from the community.Sam Bord is the son of a Grafton Football assistant coach. Bord was given the nickname “The Waterman” during his time on the sidelines helping the team.

Fundraiser organizers say Bord spent some time in a Pittsburgh hospital and bills accumulated. To help, members of the community are selling rubber wristbands and t-shirts and are raffling off WVU Tickets and fan gear.

“Both of Sam’s Parents are teachers at the high school, and it’s just…we want to help them,” said Deedee Mooney, whose children attended Grafton High School. “They’re our family.”

“They’re our Bearcat family,” Board of Education member Carol Harvey agreed. “We’re going to do what we can to support them in any way we can.”

Communities like Morgantown and Philippi are Grafton’s rivals on the playing field …but have also pledged support to Sam Bord and his family.

Sales will start at Grafton’s Preview game Friday night.

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