Using her phone light to check on him, Sammy saw that Jaxon had developed a rash. “At first, I thought maybe it was something like chickenpox,” she said. “But when I turned on the lamp, I knew we needed help.”
As Jaxon’s condition worsened, the family immediately called for emergency services. He was rushed to the hospital, where a team of medical professionals worked tirelessly to stabilize him. Despite their best efforts, Jaxon tragically passed away on the morning of February 17.
The cause was later confirmed to be meningococcal disease, a rare but aggressive form of bacterial meningitis that can affect children with little warning.
“Jaxon was our miracle baby,” Sammy shared. “We spent seven years trying to have him, going through IVF and enduring multiple losses. He meant everything to us.”
Now, in the midst of their grief, the Knowles family is hoping to raise awareness about the signs of meningitis—especially how quickly it can progress and how subtle the early symptoms may be.
“We don’t want any other family to go through what we did,” said Jaxon’s father, Jordan. “If sharing our story helps just one family, then something good can come from this.”
Bacterial meningitis affects roughly 3,000 people annually in the U.S. While symptoms can resemble common illnesses—such as fever or headache—they can progress rapidly. Medical experts recommend seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms such as a sudden rash, confusion, or neck stiffness develop.
In Jaxon’s memory, a charity page has been created to support Meningitis Now, a foundation that provides resources and support to families affected by the disease.
Jaxon was a devoted fan of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, and the team is planning a special tribute during their match against Sunderland. Fans will honor his memory with a four-minute applause—a heartfelt nod to his four cherished years.
As Sammy and Jordan continue to process the loss of their beloved son, they are comforted by the outpouring of support and the opportunity to turn their tragedy into a message of awareness, love, and hope.
“He was everything to us,” Sammy said. “Now we just hope his story can help others.”