Five-year-old Cathy Kassis tragically died from a misdiagnosed case of bacterial Strep A after doctors initially believed she had a common cold.
Cathy, who lived in Bathurst, Australia, was taken to a doctor by her mother, Jasmine Worobez. Despite showing symptoms like voice loss and difficulty breathing, doctors assured the family it was a viral infection and sent her home. Cathy’s stepfather, Justin Sutton, grew increasingly concerned when her breathing became labored. On August 28, her lips turned purple, and she began losing consciousness. Jasmine called emergency services, and Sutton performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
Cathy was airlifted to Westmead Children’s Hospital, where she was declared brain dead. A throat swab confirmed the cause of death as Strep A, a bacterial infection that can lead to severe complications if not promptly treated. Sutton said a simple course of antibiotics could have saved her life and urged parents to trust their instincts when something feels wrong.
Strep A affects around 750 million people globally each year, causing 50,000 deaths. In Australia, cases are rising, with recent studies reporting severe outcomes like toxic shock and necrotizing disease in children.
Despite the heartbreak, Cathy’s legacy lives on through her selfless organ donation, which saved the lives of three other children. “She truly embodies the qualities of a superhero,” Sutton said.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to support Cathy’s family during this difficult time. Sutton added, “The worst thing happened to us, but something wonderful came from it—she saved lives.”
