Aarin McGuire passed away on Sunday March 2nd due to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) after being sent home from school on Thursday. Aarin had been seen by her physician and was diagnosed with Strep Throat for which she was treated and sent home. By Saturday her condition had worsened and she was ordered into the local hospital by her doctor. Unknown to the medical staff, Aarin had several rashes on her body that had let a devastating infection loose insider her. This infection was the STSS form of Toxic Shock. Being such an aggressive infection it over ran Aarin's immune system quickly and by Sunday morning her organs were starting to fail. Aarin's kidneys failed first leading her body into a cascade failure that the medical staff was unable to stop despite their valiant efforts to do so. After an exhausting cycle of losing Aarin and reviving her only to lose her again. The medical staff knew they were fighting a battle they were not going to win and they regretfully let Aarin go.

This was a tragic lose to her family and friends as well as the school. Aarin played a large roll in the daily lives of her fellow schoolmates and kept everyone around her cheerful. She was the reporter for the school FFA as well as an aid to a teacher at an elementary school nearby. Aarin's dream was to become a teacher herself. Her father will be establishing a scholarship in her name with the hopes that another teenager may be able to accomplish the dreams that Aarin had strived for in her short but bright life.

I'm bringing this news to you in the hopes that you will be able to prevent this kind of tragedy in your own lives. If your children become ill please seek medical attention quickly especially if there is a fever or rash. Toxic Shock Syndrome can be fatal, but it is also treatable if caught early. The infection can manifest itself in as little as 24-48 hours. Please learn the symptoms to look for and how to prevent them.

Aarin's name was Aarin Whitney. Which means "Bringer of Light" "Seeker of Wisdom". It's hoped that the scholarship in Aarin's name will be able to bring wisdom into others lives. Please let the light of her life touch yours. Learn the symptoms, Learn how to prevent TSS and STSS. Don't let this tragedy happen to someone you know.

I'm going to leave you a link to look over if you would like. Digital Journal

There have been a few comments left there and the family knows of this site and will be watching it. Feel free to leave comments here or at the other site as I will be referring the family here also. Please help me show Aarin's family our support.

Thank you.