A teenage girl was left fighting for her life in intensive care after contracting a rare condition believed to have been caused by an acute bout of food poisoning.
Jemima Hay has launched a fundraising page for younger sister Antonia, 17, who fell ill after visiting a Christmas market in Buckinghamshire late last month.
The aspiring actress was found to have likely contracted Shiga toxin-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (STEC-HUS), caused by e.coli.
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Her sister describes how she has endured several surgeries, including having part of her bowel removed, adding the ‘nightmare’ ordeal has ‘left our family broken’.
Antonia was allowed to spend Christmas Day at home, she adds, before heading back to hospital on Boxing Day for more treatment.
The fundraiser has generated more than £7,000 in donations since it was launched a week ago.
Jemima writes of her sister: ‘She is currently lucky to be alive and has continued to show amazing determination and strength throughout this time, despite the immense stress, pain and trauma – all combined with an extreme phobia of injections.’
