On Sunday 24 April 2016, the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), our 43 member organisations in 28 countries and countless partners worldwide will unite to celebrate our eighth World Meningitis Day.
24 hours can mean the difference between life and death for anyone at any age. It really can take just one day for a child, a teenager, an adult, to lose their lives to this terrible disease or suffer from long-term after effects. That’s why this year’s theme is ‘24 Hours- Time to Act!’ #24HoursMeningitis, and why we have released a toolkit to enable people all over the world to learn about meningitis and protect themselves and their loved ones.
Held every year on 24 April, World Meningitis Day is recognised to raise the global profile of meningitis and septicaemia, emphasise the importance of vaccination, and provide support to those dealing with the often life-long consequences of the disease.
The World Meningitis Day Toolkit provides access to infographics, important facts about the disease, quotes from those directly affected, awareness videos, suggested social media posts and a blog. Our blog tells the heart-wrenching personal stories of two of our members and why 24 hours can make all the difference.
CoMO’s President and Former CEO of the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), UK, Chris Head, commented, “We want to drive home how staggeringly fast this disease can alter someone’s life for ever or even take it away. Our toolkit provides the resources for people all over the world to learn more about the disease and how to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
CoMO’s member charities around the world will be marking the occasion by taking a walk on the edge in Canada, wearing blue in South Africa, testing their trivia in the USA, releasing balloons in Japan, to name just a few of the events being held.
If you would like to get involved this World Meningitis Day please share our toolkit using the hashtag #24HoursMeningitis. Together, our voices can bring visibility to this terrible disease- please join us in making this 24 hours count.
For further information please contact:
Sam Rosoman, Editor
Email: editor@comomeningitis.org
Phone: +44 333 405 6264
Notes to Editors
The word “Meningitis” means an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Infection is the most common cause of meningitis. Septicaemia (blood poisoning) is a potentially life-threatening infection of the blood (sepsis) that occurs when the bacteria that cause meningitis gets into the bloodstream. The infection may be seen alone or in addition to meningitis.
Infectious meningitis is caused by many different germs: viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi.
Meningitis can develop rapidly over a few hours. For this reason, prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical.
CoMO - is an international member organisation working to reduce the incidence and impact of meningitis worldwide. CoMO brings together patient groups, health professionals and organisations, meningitis survivors and to help prevent meningitis worldwide. CoMO currently has 45 full members in 27 countries.
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