Father-of-two, 34, dies from Covid after delaying jab to give blood as his wife says ‘he should have been more selfish’
- Andrew Killeen, of Stockton, Teeside, died at North Tees Hospital on August 10
- He had no underlying health conditions and had been trying to book a vaccine
- Entire Killeen family tested positive for Covid but Andrew deteriorated overnight
The grieving wife of a 34-year-old who died of Covid-19 has warned of the ‘devastating, real-life consequences’ of the disease.
Andrew Killeen, 34, from Stockton, Teeside, lost his battle with the virus at North Tees Hospital in Stockton on August 10, after ‘fighting’ on a ventilator for three weeks.
The father-of-two had no underlying health conditions, and had been trying to book a vaccination appointment, after delaying his first jab to be a blood donor.
All of the Killeen family tested positive for Covid, but Andrew went from showing flu-like symptoms to needing hospital care ‘overnight’.
According to Mr Killeen’s wife Laura, his partner since 2006, they ‘thought life would be back to normal in a week or so.’
The grieving wife of a 34-year-old who died of Covid-19 has warned of the ‘devastating, real-life consequences’ of the disease Andrew Killeen, 34, from Stockton, Teeside, lost his battle with the virus at North Tees Hospital in Stockton on August 10, after ‘fighting’ on a ventilator for three weeks
‘Instead our family is changed forever’ she said.
‘Covid hasn’t gone away and it is still having devastating consequences for people who are otherwise fit and healthy.’
Andrew had delayed getting his first vaccine because he was due to donate blood, and had to cancel another appointment because he was ill.
Mrs Killeen, 33, explained: ‘He really wanted the vaccine, and if he had been a bit more selfish, he might still be alive.
‘He always gave to charity and would do anything for anyone. Everyone loved him for that.
‘He had a heart of gold, he was very funny, and he had a huge personality.’
Originally from seaside town Cleveleys, Mr Killeen had lived on Teesside since he was 10 and worked for the car insurance company Axa.
Mrs Killeen said she ‘can’t sing the praises’ of the staff on the unit where he was treated enough.
She said he was cared for with ‘such kindness and dignity’ when he was put into an induced coma.
The father-of-two had no underlying health conditions, and had been trying to book a vaccination appointment, after delaying his first jab to be a blood donor. Above: Mr and Mrs Killeen had two daughters together, Niamh and Aisling, who are aged 10 and 5
She continued: ‘Visiting is only allowed if the prognosis isn’t looking good, so I was able to be with him when he died.
‘The nurse that was with him on that awful day was absolutely amazing, nothing was too much trouble.’
Following his death, Laura has launched a fundraiser for the staff at Stockton ICU.
She explained: ‘Much to my annoyance over the years, Andrew thought cut flowers were a waste of money.
‘So we have decided that the money that would have been spent on flowers for the funeral should go to the staff that tried so hard to bring him home to his two daughters.
‘All money will be used to directly benefit the staff, whether its to pay for a new sofa for the staff room or to be used as a biscuit and cake fund.’
Mr and Mrs Killeen had two daughters together, Niamh and Aisling, who are aged 10 and 5.