The grieving family of a student who tragically passed away from an asthma attack while at a nightclub is urging fellow university students to treat the condition with utmost seriousness. Zoe Nunn, aged 20 and a politics student at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, suffered a fatal asthma attack resulting in cardiac arrest.
Having battled asthma during childhood, Zoe had not encountered an attack in years and did not have her blue reliever inhaler with her at the time. Now, her devastated parents, Louise Nunn, 49, and Mark Nunn, 52, along with her sister Lily, 27, have joined forces with Asthma + Lung UK to advise university students with asthma always to carry their inhalers, as reported by Bristol Live.
Louise, speaking to the PA news agency, recounted the distressing sequence of events leading to Zoe’s passing. Zoe was discovered collapsed in a nightclub restroom in cardiac arrest after having difficulties. Despite medical efforts to revive her, Zoe had already sustained brain damage, prompting the family to bid their final farewells.
A subsequent post-mortem examination confirmed that Zoe, who passed away in May 2022, suffered a cardiac arrest triggered by an asthma attack. Data from the NHS reveals a 70% increase in emergency asthma admissions among young individuals aged 15 to 24 during autumn compared to summer.
In England, the number of emergency admissions surged from 235 cases in August to 640 in October 2024. Mrs. Nunn expressed the family’s profound loss not only of Zoe but also of the future they had envisioned with her.
The family made a compassionate decision to donate Zoe’s organs, including her kidneys, heart, liver, corneas, and blood vessels. Mrs. Nunn emphasized their mission to raise awareness, emphasizing the critical role of carrying an inhaler to potentially save lives and prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies.
Describing Zoe as a determined individual passionate about social justice and aspiring to become a prime minister, Mrs. Nunn highlighted the irreplaceable void left by Zoe’s passing. Asthma + Lung UK is also advocating for university students with asthma to register with a campus GP, keep their inhalers accessible, and inform housemates and friends about their condition.
Dr. Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at the charity, emphasized the importance of asthmatic students accessing proper care away from home, adhering to medication schedules, and being prepared for asthma attacks. He pointed out the various triggers during freshers’ week that can challenge students with asthma, underscoring the need for proactive management of the condition.