Five-year-old Cassie was a bright, energetic child when she developed a sore throat and raspy voice. Doctors said it was likely a viral infection and sent her home without testing for bacterial causes. But within days, Cassie lost her voice entirely, and her breathing became labored. Despite growing concerns, her parents, Jasmine and Justin, were repeatedly told to wait it out. Cassie was never tested for Group A Streptococcus (strep A) — a common, treatable bacterial infection that could have been caught with a simple throat swab.

By the time Cassie was rushed to the hospital, it was too late. She was airlifted to Westmead Children’s Hospital, where a throat swab finally confirmed strep A. After 78 minutes of CPR, she was declared brain dead on August 28, 2023.

Cassie’s death was entirely preventable. Her parents, devastated, chose to donate her organs, saving three lives on Australia’s Jersey Day. Now, they advocate for awareness, urging other parents to trust their instincts and demand tests when symptoms seem serious.

Cassie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder: common infections can turn deadly without proper testing. Her name should stand as a call to action — to listen, to test, and to take parents’ concerns seriously.