On the 17th anniversary of their deceased daughter’s birthday, Michelle and Talbot Elkins of Athens will be going door-to-door trying to saves the lives of other people’s children.

Their daughter, Jessica, died in December 2007 of bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

The 15-year-old Athens High School student and cheerleader would have celebrated her birthday Wednesday. Instead, her parents, family and friends will set aside their sadness to host a Meningitis Awareness Day.

“Her birthday is a tough time,” Michelle told The News Courier. “But we want to save somebody else’s life during that time and make them aware there is a shot available and we will do it by going door-to-door handing out brochures.”

It is just one of four events planned for Wednesday and Sept. 26 to teach people the symptoms of meningitis and to tell them a vaccination is available to prevent some forms of the illness.

“We just want to make people aware of how meningitis can turn your life in a matter of hours,” Michelle said.

The Elkinses thought their daughter had the flu when she came home from school that December day. When her conditioned worsened, they took her to Decatur General Hospital, where a doctor diagnosed bacterial meningitis. She was transferred to University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, but later died. She was scheduled to get her meningitis vaccination that coming February.

Learning to identify meningitis immediately and to prevent it in the first place became the Elkins’ goal. They wanted to do all they could to prevent other parents from losing a child to the illness.

To kick off the campaign, Athens Mayor Dan Williams proclaimed Sept. 23 as Meningitis Awareness Day in the city.

Here are the other events:

• Chick-fil-A Day. The local restaurant will donate half of what it sells from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to increasing meningitis awareness.

• Candle lighting. A ceremony will be held at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the cemetery to remember Jessica.

• Jessica’s Tea Party. A charity event from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 26, to raise money for meningitis awareness and for The Jessica Elkins Live, Laugh, Love Memorial Scholarship. Ladies are asked to wear their Sunday best and a pretty hat to the Club House Café at 121 S. Marion St. in downtown Athens. Salad plates will be $20 and peanut butter and jelly plates will be $10. Tickets must be bought in advance by calling Dana Pressnell at (256) 230-3068 or Shane Leopard at 233-1933.

• Moving for Meningitis. A walk/run from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 26, in front of Golden Eagle Stadium to raise money for meningitis awareness both locally and nationally. Cost is $15 a person or $50 for a group of four. You don’t have to run or walk, but those who do should register at 5 p.m. The first 200 entrants will get a free T-shirt.

Meningitis survivor Kelli Sawyer — who had to have a lower leg and part of her foot amputated — will speak at 8 p.m.

There will be lots of food and fun, with Dean Firestone grilling, cotton candy, popcorn, shaved ice, homemade desserts, inflatables, games, music and aerobic warm-ups.

You can bid on items autographed by Nick Saban, Pat Dye, Terry Bowden and Philip Rivers as well as other items at a silent auction. There will also be a drawing for a tree stand and other items.

“Just come out and be a part,” Michelle said.