Marathoner, 22, Dies in His Sleep on New Year’s Eve
Tom O’Neill is mourned by his 11 siblings after he died from a suspected epileptic seizure
GoFundMe
Marathoner Tom O'Neill, 22, died in his sleep.An avid marathon runner was just 22 when he died in his sleep on New Year’s Eve from a suspected epileptic seizure.
“He was diagnosed with meningitis when he was three months old and then developed epilepsy," Tom O’Neill’s brother, Jack, told the Geelong Advertiser, via Sky News.
Tom was one of 12 children — and Jack shared a story with the outlet about the “type of caring person he was.”
"One of his friends from Gippsland had a tough day, so Tom drove up there that night, stayed for half an hour, had coffee with him, and then drove back the same night to get to sleep for work the next morning at six o'clock," Jack told the publication.
SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty
Stock image of runners in Sydney.Related: Disney Star Cameron Boyce's Family Confirms He Had Epilepsy Which Led to His Fatal Seizure
Despite his health struggles, Tom was an avid marathon runner, taking part in the Sydney Marathon in August, News.au reports. The publication adds that Tom, who had graduated from St Joseph’s College Geelong, would volunteer to help with races if he wasn’t running himself.
His family established a GoFundMe to help defray the costs of the funeral, and remembered Tom as “a horticulturalist, a marathon runner, an avid gamer and dedicated himself to his disciplined self-improvement. His family are supported by the knowledge that Tom's generosity and kindness will be felt by all who knew him long after his time with us.”
Epilepsy is generally known to cause episodes where the muscles grow stuff and jerk uncontrollably; the Mayo Clinic notes symptoms can also include loss of consciousness or confusion. Those with epilepsy have a risk of sudden unexpected death: “The cause is unknown, but some research shows that it may occur due to heart or respiratory conditions.”
Related: Lake Bell Shares Update on Daughter's Epilepsy, Says She's 'Proud' of Her for Being an Advocate
As his family wrote in the GoFundMe, Tom “will be sorely missed by his parents, siblings, friends and workmates, all of whom sincerely thank you for your kindness and support during this difficult time.”
“Forever 22, forever loved, forever missed.”
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