WHEN Valentina Sanna developed flu-like symptoms and a headache on Boxing Day, her family assumed she just had a bad cold.
And given the youngster was a perfectly fit and healthy 14-year-old – the last thing to cross their minds was that Valentina’s life was on the line.
However, just days later on New Year’s Day, Valentina, from Crosby, Merseyside, passed away after contracting a rare form of meningitis.
Her heartbroken father Alberto, 48, has since described his late daughter as “extremely kind and extremely beautiful.”
And he added that his wife and two other daughters felt “lucky to have her for 14 years” – despite being left completely devastated by her loss.
Valentina, who trained at the Royal Ballet School, first developed her symptoms after travelling to Sardinia, where her family are from, for their annual Christmas trip.
Her father says she displayed flu-like symptoms and had complained about having a headache on Boxing Day.
When her symptoms began to worsen, her family took her to hospital on December 29.
Alberto said: “It was immediately clear that this was to be treated urgently, so they started straight away with antibiotics.”
She was very kind and very gentle
Alberto Sanna
Valentina spent three days in hospital battling a rare form of meningitis before tragically passing away on New Year’s Day.
Her death came “completely unexpectedly” to her family, her father said.
Valentina’s organs were donated following her death, saving the lives of four people.
Her father said that it had eased their sorrow known that someone else was getting a new life.
Prior to her death, Valentina had trained up to six days a week at Procter Dance Academy in Crosby before earning a place at the Royal Ballet School.
Signs and symptoms of meningitis in children and adults
Symptoms of meningitis can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. In the early stages, there may not be a rash or the rash may fade on pressure.
You should get medical help immediately if you’re concerned about yourself or your child.
Trust your instincts and do not wait until a rash develops.
Symptoms of meningitis, septicaemia and meningococcal disease include:
- A high temperature
- Cold hands and feet
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Breathing quickly
- Muscle and joint pain
- Pale, mottled or blotchy skin
- Spots or a rash
- Headache
- A stiff neck
- A dislike of bright lights
- Being very sleepy or difficult to wake
- Fits (seizures)
Babies may also:
- Refuse feeds
- Be irritable
- Have a high-pitched cry
- Have a stiff body or be floppy or unresponsive
- Have a bulging soft spot on the top of their head
Someone with meningitis, septicaemia or meningococcal disease can get a lot worse very quickly.
Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E if you think you or your child might be seriously ill.
Call NHS 111 or your GP surgery for advice if you’re not sure if it’s anything serious.
Source: NHS
She performed at the 2019 Dance World Cup in Braga, Portugal, where she represented England in her category.
Valentina also took part in the associate programmes of the Royal Ballet School and Central Ballet School, and performed in the Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall with Royal Birmingham Ballet.
Her father, who is a professional musician, described her as “extremely elegant and graceful” and said that this was something everyone would notice about her.
“People noticed how she used to tiptoe into a room. She was very kind and very gentle,” he said.
“We thought she was very musical. She was always perfectly timed and just really, really beautiful.”
Away from dancing, Alberto said that Valentina was academically “one of the best in her class” and had a good group of friends.
More on meningitis
He added: “She loved and was loved very much. We couldn’t have asked for any more, life will be very different without her.”
Valentina’s family are hoping to set up a charity in order to honour Valentina’s commitment to dance, and to remember her by.
Alberto said: “We will set up a charity in her memory to help aspiring classical dancers and other young artists to achieve their dreams without forgetting the values of respect, love, commitment and elegance Valentina cherished so much.”