Welcome to The Lee Spark NF Foundation

The Final INFECT Project Meeting!

We have been honoured to be part of the EU INFECT project for the last  7 years with 13 partners from around the globe who are experts in the early diagnosis and surgical intervention of necrotising fasciitis. Our very last meeting will take place in Bergen, Norway on the 18th – 21st June where an […]

This Pen Can Save A Life!

Our Educational Training USB/pens are distributed to assist in the educational learning for medical staff who are likely to assist in the treatment and survival of necrotising fasciitis. From early diagnosis to surgery this tool will be an extremely useful tool to pass on to your colleagues. We want to save lives and avoid debridement […]

Thank You Jessica!

A huge thank you to Jessica Archer, who has raised an impressive £1275 for The Lee Spark NF Foundation by completing the Simply Health Manchester 10k run! Great work Jessica!

We’re at the IPS Conference in Glasgow!

Our very own Doreen was at the IPS Conference in Glasgow this week, working hard and raising awareness!

Fundraising!

To raise awareness of necrotising fasciitis through education and distribution we need your support. This is usually in the form of fundraising. We can help and support you through your events. You will be provided with T shirts, shakers, wrist bands and balloons. Many thanks … happy eventing 😉  

An Invitation to our Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatters Ball!

You are invited to our next Ball, which we are excited to say has an Alice in Wonderland theme! We really can’t wait to see all of your costumes and creations! Tickets are £30 per adult, £15 per child aged between 6 & 12 and £5 per child aged between 2 & 5. Please email […]

Fundraiser – Gabby Niman Live in Concert!

Gabby Jacobs Niman has put an event together to help raise awareness and to fundraise for The Lee Spark NF Foundation. Gabby’s father survived necrotising fasciitis 9 years ago but sadly did have his arm amputated in order to save his life. Gabby will never forget the very difficult time they had seeing their father […]

A Huge Thank You!

A huge ‘thank you’ to Jessica Archer, who recently competed in the Manchester 10k on behalf of The Lee Spark Foundation. Jessica participated to raise awareness after her father survived necrotising fasciitis one year ago. Jessica has raised an incredible £1081 so far! Thank you Jessica – we think you’re amazing!

Thank You to Our Amazing Fundraisers!

A great big ‘thank you!’ to our amazing fundraisers Claire Price and Vicky Macqueen, both running the London Marathon this weekend on behalf of The Lee Spark Foundation! Vicky is a survivor who contracted necrotising fasciitis in 2013 and was close to an amputated leg but because of the amazing and swift actions of the […]

Merchandise – Showing your Support & Raising Awareness!

We have a few pieces of official merchandise for sale if you would care to offer your support .. wristbands and pins … both showing our charity details. Raising awareness through education is so important and you can also do your part. By wearing our official products you will be helping to raise awareness! The prices […]

Skin spray heals US woman’s flesh-eating bacteria wounds

An experimental skin spray has given a US woman back her skin after drug-resistant bacteria devoured most of the flesh on her left side. In January, Christin Lipinski, 37, developed flu-like symptoms and pain under her armpit. Doctors at Maricopa Integrated Health System – a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona – found she was infected with a […]

Dad Struck by Deadly Bug Makes Return to Parkrun

A dad who nearly died when life-threatening sepsis transformed into a ‘flesh-eating’ bacterial infection has made his return to Rogiet parkrun. Luke Dobson was struck down with sepsis in January and has since undergone several major surgeries and spent several weeks in intensive care. But on Saturday the 42-year-old braved the blizzard like conditions as […]

Halifax Woman Contracts Flesh-eating Disease

In just a few hours, a Halifax woman went from shovelling snow with her husband to fighting for her life in hospital. Colleen Hilton initially thought she had the flu. Doctors realized her rapidly deteriorating health was due to something far more serious, necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease. “She went from being a […]

Adam Wilkins 24th Jun 1990 – 18th Feb 2018

Adam’s Funeral Notice. We are devastated to announce that our wonderful Adam passed away on the 18th February after fighting to overcome a rare infection called Necrotising Fasciitis. Trevor, Christine and Clarice would like to invite all family and friends to join us in a celebration of Adam’s life on Wednesday 4th April at Chelmsford […]

Support on Scarring from Changing Faces

We at The Lee Spark NF Foundation are passionate about supporting survivors, bereaved  and their families who have suffered from necrotising fasciitis, commonly referred to as the ‘flesh-eating disease’; through listening to you for the past 18 years we understand many survivors have terrible issues with scarring after their experience. As part of our ongoing aims we are […]

A ‘blister’ Turns Out to be Flesh-eating Disease

Raul Reyes, a 26-year-old Houston daycare teacher, had hurt his foot at work. It was swollen and soon, a blister formed, which he thought was caused by his shoe rubbing his swollen foot. When Reyes woke up the next morning, the blister covered his whole foot. A medical clinic rushed him to the hospital. In […]

Cracking Knuckles Causes NF in US Case

A man in Kentucky developed a life-threatening infection from “flesh-eating bacteria” — and nearly lost his hand — after cracking his knuckles, according to news reports. The 31-year-old man, Antoine Boylston, was at work one day in April 2016 when he cracked his knuckles — a frequent habit of his, according to the Daily Mail. But […]

18 Year-Old Marine Dies of Necrotising Fasciitis

A Marine stationed at Twentynine Palms died just eight hours after a flesh-eating disease diagnosis, officials said. Pfc. William Becket Kiernan, 18, died of a bacterial skin infection known as necrotizing fasciitis on Feb. 4 2018. No additional cases of necrotizing fasciitis have been reported at the Marine Corps base, Capt. Karen Holliday told Marine Corps […]

Have your say! Tell us about your NF experience and help others

As many of you are aware we are in our final stages of the INFECT Programme working with our EU partners . . Achieving guidelines in the prevention of NF from early diagnosis through to surgical intervention. Not forgetting aftercare. Now with your kind permission we would appreciate your input. We have put together a […]

Sepsis takes life of 23 year-old man in Grimsby

A 23-year-old music fan who thought he had flu died of sepsis just 24 hours after being diagnosed. Daniel Sheppard was suffering from a high temperature and delirium at his home in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, and a day later was having problems with his vision. He thought he had been struck down by the flu […]

Doctors mistake NF for a pulled muscle

A mum was left fighting for her life after a tiny cut triggered a NF, after doctors mistook pain for a pulled muscle. Laura Hayes-Meerman lost the skin and muscle from the right side of her body after surgeons were forced to cut away the dead tissue. The 52-year-old was on holiday, skiing in Vermont […]

Recorded sepsis cases in Wales are increasing

Recorded cases of the potentially deadly infection sepsis are on the rise in Welsh NHS hospitals, new figures have revealed. In 2016-17, hospitals recorded a combined 12,589 sepsis cases compared to 11,457 in 2014-15 – an increase of 10%. While the Welsh Conservatives describe these figures as a cause for concern, health boards say they suggest NHS staff are […]

Dad almost loses arm to NF

Luke Dobson, 42, was suffering from flu-like symptoms when he developed a pain in his elbow. Thinking it was just aches and pains caused by the virus he thought nothing of it, but his condition soon took a turn for the worse. Luke, from Undy in South Wales, was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with sepsis. […]

Texas woman loses life to NF after eating raw oysters

A Texan woman has died after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria after eating raw oysters on a trip to the the Louisiana coast. Jeanette LeBlanc died after a three-week battle with vibriosis, an illness typically caused by eating raw seafood. After shucking and eating roughly two dozen raw oysters with her wife and a friend, LeBlanc began having […]

Another tragic death as 8 year-old boy contracts NF after bike fall

An eight-year-old boy has died just days after contracting flesh-eating bacteria despite four major operations that involved amputating almost every limb. Liam Flanagan, a second-grader who loved cycling and animals, crashed his bike as he rode down his family’s hill in Spring Creek, Oregon, on Saturday January 13.  The handlebar sliced through his jeans, and […]

Seasons Greetings!

Seasons greetings from all of us here at the Lee Spark Foundation. We wish you a joyful and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous 2018!

INFECT Meeting in Stockholm

I was honoured to represent the Lee Spark Foundation at the 5th annual INFECT meeting in Stockholm at the beginning of December. It was fantastic to meet and work with such an excellent group of people, all working towards the same goal – “to advance our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms, prognosis, and diagnosis of […]

29th Nov – 1st Dec is the 5th Annual INFECT Meeting

This week sees the 5th annual INFECT meeting, where our co-ordinator Wayne will be attending on behalf of The Lee Spark Foundation. As someone that has been through necrotising fasciitis, Wayne is aware of the need for medical research and will be able to add valuable insight to this project. What is INFECT? The overall […]

Looking For Work After NF? Try This . .

We all know that getting back to work after a serious illness such as NF can be daunting. So many questions . . . How will I cope with full-time work and stress? Do I tell them about my illness? What if I need support? So, we’ve been on the look-out for good employers with […]

NF causes new mum to become quadruple amputee

When new mother Lindsey Hubley returned to the hospital with severe stomach pains a few days after giving birth, she was told it was just constipation and sent home. Hours later, though, the 33-year-old Canadian was rushed into emergency surgery and eventually diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis—also known as flesh-eating bacteria. Hubley was suffering from septic […]

Working with INFECT

We are proud to be a partner of INFECT. This EU project aims at applying a systems medicine approach to elucidate the complex host and pathogen signatures that dictate severe bacterial soft tissue infections. INFECT aims to substantially contribute to the systems understanding of the pathophysiology of highly lethal destructive soft tissue infections, i.e. necrotizing […]

Fundraising!

A huge thank you and well done to Tim Ogdon, who has raised £1456.25 for our charity! Tim showed superhuman strength by completing 3 half-marathons this year in memory of his brother Jonathan, who tragically took his life after his battle with NF. Another terrible reminder of why we must continue to raise awareness and […]

Science Daily discuss how 2 Group A Strep Genes link to NF

Group A Streptococcus bacteria cause a variety of illnesses that range from mild nuisances like strep throat to life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome and the flesh-eating disease formally known as necrotizing fasciitis. The life-threatening infections occur when the bacteria spread underneath the surface of the skin or throat and invade the underlying soft […]

Aimee Copeland speaking on NF at US event

Aimee Copeland, a young woman who lost her hands, a leg and a foot in a fight with flesh-eating bacteria, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Power of the Purse Luncheon for United Way. The event will be held Nov. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the St. Luke Ministry Center. […]

Remembering Lee Spark . . .

18 years ago today my family and I lost our son, brother, nephew, cousin and uncle .. Stephen Lee Spark. We still struggle to believe how a tooth abscess could have developed so quickly into necrotising fasciitis. Though we will never forget his death we feel proud that the Lee Spark NF Foundation was born […]

What Are Flesh-Eating Bacteria, And How Do You Fight Them?

National Geographic have recently published an article on how science is working at fighting NF. Read the full story here. DISCLAIMER We at The Lee Spark NF Foundation (including our professional network); do not support any advertising found in these links. The wording used, though helpful in raising awareness of necrotising fasciitis, is used in […]

Texas Floods Cause NF Death

The New York times have published a story on how a woman contracted NF and died from the recent Texas floods. The full, tragic story can be found here DISCLAIMER We at The Lee Spark NF Foundation (including our professional network); do not support any advertising found in these links. The wording used, though helpful […]

Running 10k for Dave Green!

On 8th July 2017, we had a 12 strong team running a 10k in Leeds for the Dave Green Memorial Run. Dave passed away suddenly in 2008 from necrotising fasciitis leaving all his family and friends in shock. Remembering him in this way is a great tribute and will continue to make this an annual event […]

31.05.17 Necrotizing Fasciitis Awareness Day !!!!

  Its official !!! So grateful for my global friends for arranging this annual celebration. Joining hands globally in our campaign to save lives through education. Raising awareness of this horrific disease that affects to many lives.  

30.05.17 Tomorrow Is going to be a very special day

Tomorrow is a celebration of awareness ….wait for the news !!!!!!  

This Time Next Year !!!……Devina McCall

Hi everyone in the UK we have been approached by a production company who works with ITV. They ask if we have any survivors or bereaved that would like to be a part of their next series 3..”.This Time Next Year.”…..I am sure most of you know that Devina McCall hosts the show and meets […]

Mums story by Jayde !!!

Another lovely family affected by necrotising fasciitis  !!!! Jayde is striving to raise awareness of NF and raise funds for the maxillofacial team at the Leeds General Infirmary. PLEASE BE AWARE OF GRAPHIC IMAGES that may be upsetting.  

5th Dec 16. Adjusting back to your work place !!!

I understand that a lot of people that contract necrotising fasciitis have difficulty adapting after their debridement. Many of you have been unable to continue with your existing employee and living with a disability you may need adjustments in the workplace. We hope this link helps to showcase employers that have these ethics and will […]

9th Nov 16 Plans for 2017 !!!!

Its all gogogo here at The Lee Spark NF Foundation. Really good idea’s swimming round in our heads for 2017 and we have developed a new social media page for all those interested athletic peeps to join in. Keeping fit in our minds is a good start for our 2017 goals. We are starting a […]

Unbelievably Good !!! ….Monster Mash Charity Ball 2016

What a brilliant night !!!!…the costumes …the fun ….the fantastic surprises (more to tell) ….everyone could tell a heart rendering story but achieved their spirit of Halloween. Proud to know these lovely lovely people xx

Halloween Charity Ball Celebrations !!!

Well one day to go to our Halloween ..Monster Mash Charity Ball. Uniting survivors, bereaved, family & friends all with one thing in common….necrotising fasciitis. Bless them all.!!!

5th Oct 16 —- Good start to 2017 Fitness Regime !!

https://sthelens10k.co.uk/ Anyone wanting to have a goal for next year ? Why not join me in my hometown for a 10k run on Sunday 5th March 2017. £20 entrance fee !!! Be great to see a group of us there…x  

3rd Oct 16….Just Quite Unbelievable !!

Jayne…well this is a fantastic short story. Jayne developed necrostising fasciitis in January 2015 and suffered significant tissue loss. She stayed in hospital for three months rebuilding her strength again after having surgery many times. While she was in hospital her mother sadly passed away from Cancer. Quite unbelievable how anyone can survive both these […]

29th Sept ….Go Go Robin !!!

  29th Sept...Go Go Robin !! Another run conquered . Robin is a survivor of necrotising fasciitis...he has come along way in such a very short time. His fight and determination has inspired him to compete in running events. The most recent one The River Ness  10k in Inverness on Sunday 25th Sept.  His position [...]

20th Sept 16…. Well done Ian

On the 18th September Ian Hurst competed in the 10k Wigan (Lancashire) race…guess what Ian competed this race in his wheel chair his time 1 hour :42 mins. Brilliant !!! Ian lost his mother from necrotising fasciitis and he wanted to raise awareness as well as funds . Thank you Ian for supporting our charity […]

16th Sept…Colin is Raising Awareness !!

  Colin lives in County Antrim  Northern Ireland with his wife Linda – Jane. He is a survivor of necrotising fasciitis. His journey started in April when he started to feel very cold and generally not well. He went to bed and became worse during the night feeling nausea with extreme thirst. By 6 am […]

15th Sept 16 …..Back in the saddle

Kate’s Story (in her own words) In Feb 2008 I contracted NF, no idea how. At first the hospital thought it was Gastroenteritis but I was getting sicker by the hour. 5 days later I was transferred to a different hospital where thankfully they recognised that I had NF. By this time it had a […]

8th Sept 16 Good luck to the Norman’s

Good luck to the Norman brothers who are running in The Great North Run on Sunday 11th September. A family getting together showing courage, strength and commitment through the sad loss of their dear father on the 16th August 2015 one year ago from necrotising fascitis. Raising awareness of necrotiising fasciitis and raising funds so we […]

6th Sept 16 Educational Learning

Posting  280 of our Educational Learning USB pens to Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. Thank you for your continued support ..striving to save lives through presentations and experience. Your knowledge and commitment is very much appreciated.  

Celebration Evening 2nd Sept 16

https://www.nhschoir.com/ What a lovely evening at The Rivoli Ballroom Brockley London. How lovely ….. NHS staff not only give their care and compassion in their every working hour, But to form a choir. To have reached number 1 in the charts and to contribute to wonderful charities like ours …thankyou so very much for your […]

Survivors and Their work with The Lee Spark NF Foundation…

Looking Fab with the Educational Dvd's and USB Pens Well our lovely Elaine McCulloch Ambassador for Scotland attended The Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh Seminar to give a talk about The Lee Spark NF Foundation and what it means to her. The following is an account of her day: 0645 - Left Home for our journey [...]

Spring has Sprung

Finally, Spring has Sprung… Everything is coming back to life, the days are getting longer and the plans for the ball are well under way.. I have to thank a few companies for their generous donations so far for raffle prizes etc,     * Manchester United Football Club have Donated a Signed Football, the […]

Halloween Ball

Woo hoo, now come on everyone do not forget to get your tickets for the 2016 Annual Ball.. The plans are coming along nicely,  you are all in for a treat I’m sure. It’s going to be a thriller evening for all… xxx  

2016 Annual Ball

Lets get the party started!!!  It is that time of year again when all systems are go for the Annual Ball. The Theme this year is HALLOWEEEEEEEEEN. Be as scary or as cuddly as you like… Halloween is what you make it. What would be fantastic is, if that all children attending could bring carved […]

Wow….. Just Wow

Wow, what can I say….. The coffee morning went with a BANG!!! There were many wonderful, lovely, tasty treats to be had. £270 was raised which is a wonderful figure but most importantly lots of awareness.  Everyone was talking about NF and leaflets given out. Looking forward to next event now. A MASSIVE THANK YOU […]

3 Days To Go

3 Days to go guys until the first ever Lee Spark Coffee morning!!  I am actually feeling quite excited about it and the information about NF that can reach other people raising awareness further. I will be making Key Lime Cupcakes, “Flirty Dirty” Brownies and many other wonderfully naughty treats. Not to forget a lovely […]

9 Days to go…..

What a beautiful afternoon, a little chilly but the sun is shining. Only 9 days to go until the first ever Lee Spark Coffee Morning on Friday 22nd January 2016… We would like as many people to take part as possible, no event is too big or too small. From a small gathering of friends […]

2016 is Coming and so are some new and exciting things!!

Well, 2015 is slowly drawing to a close and it is time to start thinking about some new and wonderful ways to increase knowledge and awareness of NF.. Let me introduce myself, I am Theresa, I am a newly appointed Trustee to The Lee Spark NF Foundation and Events Co-ordinator. We have a lot of […]

To many to mention

James Walker your a star *********

Absolute privileged to meet James Walker family and friends today. They were all out in force to support James at the Stafford 1/2 marathon today 22/3/15…so far James has raised £1,142:50 …brilliant !!! thank you to everyone who has given so generously and supported James and our charity.James’s family member has suffered the dreadful necrotising […]

Beautiful day and everything is so good !!

First email I opened this morning …confirmation of me teaching students all about necrotising fasciitis at St Barts London School of Medicine and Dentistry….absolutely wonderful !!!  Starting in May this year. Perfect start of The Lee Spark NF Foundation  core training. Feeling very privileged…and cannot wait …lets make a difference 🙂 x www.nfsuk.org.uk

Wow what a day 🙂 x

We (Alex lewis..Jane Eccles and myself) gave an exceptional presentation today at Bethel Conference Centre West Midlands. 110 Health Care Professionals were truly amazed by our experiences and I think i am correct in saying they were in Orr of us and also all the families of many more survivors and bereaved that have suffered […]

Looking forward to tomorrow 17th March

17th March 2015 – Infection Prevention Control Conference Looking forward to giving my first presentation of 2015 at Bethel Conference Centre West Bromwich. Titled “I can save a life” telling my story of losing my son Lee Spark and informing all delegates of the need for early intervention of NF…saving a fortune on NHS funds and saving […]

Bright & Breezy

Just love this weather…fills me up with lots of excitement and even more to do’s. Been sorting ..adding and documenting on this glorious day. What you might ask ? Well were having a WW2 theme Charity Ball this year in Blackpool..illuminations will be on which will make all guests even more excited. 17th October 2015 […]

Hot off the press !!!

Had our new ” I can save a life” USB pen delivery …literally..yes pens with our Educational Learning on them ( USB inserted at the end). (New concept from the old Educational DVD’s). Lighter to carry that’s marvelous in itself. How many times I have been let down by parcel companies is a nightmare. So with […]

That’s the way to do it !!!

19th March 2015 Travelling to Edinburgh with our Event Coordinator for a meeting with Paul Harrison from Fitwise Management Ltd..to discuss how we can raise awareness of our work by starting our own events. Really looking forward to this meeting lots of positive vibes …well actually there always are and definitely lots of to do’s […]

Old Diary

Sorting through some old paper work old diaries last night ..we all have them I guess like the rubbish draw in our kitchen !!! Anyway 2001 1st January read …very first cheque ready to deposit tomorrow into Lee’s Fund (as it was then)…..plus our website was first launched. Wow we have come along way….and still […]

Infection Prevention & Control Conference Looking forward to giving my first presentation of 2015 (17th March) at Bethel Conference Centre West Bromwich. Titled “I can save a life” telling my story of losing my son Lee Spark and informing all delegates of the need for early intervention of NF…saving a fortune on NHS funds and saving lives […]

Raising Awareness via blog

Well this is new to me ..I must confess I am not top of the class in IT, but with help from my friends today I am up and running. Raising Awareness of this terrible disease is my top priority ..on par to supporting survivors, bereaved, family and friends. Such an horrific infection that took […]