One day during Blake’s senior year, he stayed home from school because he wasn’t feeling well. He woke up with a stiff neck and felt so weak that he could barely stand. When Blake developed a purple rash, his dad rushed him to the ER where doctors thought he had the flu. His condition quickly deteriorated and Blake was transferred to Vanderbilt Hospital. Blake awoke from a coma a week later to learn he had meningococcal disease and was suffering from severe complications. It was months before Blake could walk independently again and he was on dialysis until receiving a kidney transplant in 2006.

Blake is now a registered ICU nurse. He hopes to show others that they can have a life after serious illness. Blake is also dedicated to raising awareness of meningococcal disease and its prevention.