Five-year-old Cassie began showing mild symptoms—sore throat, raspy voice—but doctors said it was a viral infection and sent her home. Her parents, Jasmine and Justin, grew increasingly concerned as she lost her voice and struggled to breathe. Despite multiple visits, no throat swab was done, and no antibiotics were given.

As Cassie’s condition worsened, she was rushed to the hospital but again sent home. Only after she collapsed and was airlifted to Westmead Children’s Hospital did doctors test her for strep A—a common and treatable bacterial infection. It was too late. Despite 78 minutes of CPR, Cassie was declared brain dead on August 28, 2023.

Her death was entirely preventable. A simple throat swab could have saved her. Cassie’s story exposes a critical failure in pediatric care: dismissing parental instincts and failing to test for a known threat. Globally, strep A infects millions each year but is often overlooked.

In their grief, her parents donated her organs, helping save three lives. Now, they speak out—not in blame, but in hope that other families will be heard. Cassie’s name must become a call to action: trust parents, test early, and never ignore the signs.