Nine-year-old Marion boy dies from flu
A Marion family is saying goodbye to their young son after they lost him to illness this week.
Doctors at Nationwide Children's Hospital were treating 9-year-old Korbyn Mathias for the flu.
Family members Cassandra and Todd Stapleton said Wednesday that the family is trying to cope with Korbyn's death.
"On Saturday morning, he was a normal healthy child, jumping on trampolines ... going out for ice cream," Cassandra Stapleton said. She said that he began gasping for breath and passed out on a couch. His mother called 9-1-1 and administered CPR, Stapleton said. Korbyn was take to Marion General Hospital then transported by Lifeflight to Nationwide Children's Hospital, she said. He passed away Monday.
"It's very traumatic on all of us. You never know when you're going to lose someone, especially at that young age you never expect that," family member Todd Stapleton said.
The Stapletons called Korbyn a hero, saying that he wanted to become an emergency medical technician. His organs were donated.. "His mom said it was his way of being a hero," Cassandra Stapleton said. "It kind of fulfilled his dream."
Counselors from throughout the Marion City School District were at George Washington Elementary School on Tuesday, where Korbyn was a third-grader. Principal Scott Curtis said the school would follow up Wednesday and the rest of the week with specific students. "Some knew Korbyn, some were friends, some were related," Curtis said. "We provided a safe place for them to talk about their feelings."
George Washington Elementary is considering doing something to honor Korbyn's life, said Marion City Schools spokesman Kurt Moore, such as planting a tree and dedicating it to him. "We are still working out details as to what that may be."
The family has not made funeral arrangements for Korbyn.
It is always a tragedy when a child passes,” said Thomas Quade, Marion Public Health commissioner . “ We encourage, as we always do, everyone to consider getting their flu shot. Our flu numbers are up this year.”
Marion Public Health has reported one other case this year of a child being hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. Four other children in Ohio have died from flu-related illnesses in Fulton, Cuyahoga and Columbiana counties.
The Ohio Department of Health says more than 2,000 people have been hospitalized with flu-related illnesses this flu season, which usually lasts from October to May. Epidemiologist Carlie Rees of Marion Public Health said the department’s Nursing Clinic, 181 S. Main St., provides walk-in vaccines for infants, children and adults, including seasonal flu vaccines, on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., although the department recommends that you visit your doctor first, as he/she has your most complete health history.