World Meningitis Day News
World Meningitis Day 2009 heralded the beginning of a global community joining hands against meningitis. Our virtual community linked 31 states in the USA and 33 countries around the world, reaching across the globe from North and South America, through Europe to the Middle East, into the Indian subcontinent and through South East Asia and the Far East to Australia. Hands were joined across State lines, across country borders and across continents, making it truly a world event. You can continue to Join Hands Against Meningitis by clicking on the logo so that the community continues to expand and grow to encircle the globe - together we can have an effect.

The first ever World Meningitis Day on April 25th was marked across the globe with a great variety of imaginative events which made this Day a big success and attracted media attention worldwide.

Here are some examples of activities:

Around the world people joined hands against meningitis: Wherever they were around the world people stopped what they were doing to show their solidarity in the fight against meningitis.
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Thousands of packets of forget-me-not seeds were distributed world-wide by Texas-based Meningitis Angels: Meningitis Angels sent flower seed packets all over the world to recognize the special day declared by COMO. Angels took the opportunity of the Texas Crawfish Festival to man a booth to celebrate World Meningitis Day by handing out packets of Forget-me- not seeds, balloons, dog tags and candles. The Festival is an annual event with more than 30,000 people in attendance - one of the largest in Texas. Every year people, artists and vendors come from all over to eat crawfish, dance, listen to all kinds of music, shop for handmade crafts and celebrate Texas traditions. Angels educated all who came by their booth about meningitis and the vaccines to prevent it. At dusk they lit candles and remembered those whose lives were taken and did a roll call of Heaven Bound Angels.
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German motorcyclists took to the road in a fund-raising ride: “Initiative Kelly“ organized a motorcycle parade in order to raise awareness of meningitis and to raise funds for Tamara, a little girl who suffered from Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. Thirty bikers answered their call and rode their bikes through the area of Heinsbergs near Aachen. The parade started and ended in a big square where families that have been affected by meningitis met and information about Meningitis was available. It was a nice getting together and already “Initiative Kelly” is planning something bigger for World Meningitis Day 2010.
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Prime Time presenter Miriam O’Callaghan takes time off to launch World Meningitis Day in Ireland: The Meningitis Trust Ireland launched World Meningitis Day and their new illustrated pocket card in style. Prime Time TV presenter Miriam O’Callaghan took time off from her busy schedule to join Carole Nealon, the general manager of Meningitis Trust Ireland and some small friends to promote World Meningitis Day and the Join Hands against Meningitis Initiative on the CoMO website.
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Walkers Strolled around the Gym in Wisconsin: The Becky Werner Meningitis Foundation organized a sponsored walk at the Concordia University to mark World Meningitis Day, raising over $18,000. Over 135 people turned out; some were survivors of meningitis and others carried placards in memory of a loved-one who had died from the disease.
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Families across Spain turn out to mark World Meningitis Day: Family days and special events were organized across Spain by Fundacion Irene Megias Contra la Meningitis. Madrid, Seville and the island of Mallorca all saw celebration – in Madrid bouncy castles entertained the children, in Seville two days of celebration featured races, tennis and volleyball matches and a Brazilian dance show, while in Mallorca 1000 leaflets were distributed to pharmacies and hospitals.
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The Philippines joined hands with other countries in celebration of the First World Meningitis Day: The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) spearheaded the activity which was supported by the City Government of Taguig. The event started with a motorcade parade around the city. Cars participating in the parade were decorated with colorful balloons and streamers and drew the attention of thousands of residents in the vicinity. The parade ended at the Ususan Barangay Hall, where hundreds of residents were gathered to learn about meningitis.The audience was all ears as a young mother narrated the difficulties their family went through after her months-old son contracted meningitis twice. Another important part of the program was the short lecture conducted by Dr. Catherine J. Fabay on meningitis regarding transmission, complications and modes of protection, one of which is through vaccination. Brochures were also distributed to the attendees containing information about meningitis. The highlight of the event was the free vaccination given to more than 100 children. The celebration was a big success. Everyone went home tired but with rewarding thoughts because of their contributions to increasing awareness about meningitis.
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Meningitis and septicaemia kill and maim children, young people and adults the world over. These diseases are no respecters of wealth, colour,
creed or country.

Make World Meningitis Day a day of action to raise awareness of meningitis and septicaemia.

Join hands against meningitis in our virtual community, and raise your voices for:

♦ ACCESS to information for everyone on the early recognition of signs and symptoms and the actions to take. Bacterial Meningitis is a Medical Emergency

♦ ACCESS to the available vaccines – there are vaccines against pneumococcal meningitis and some strains of meningococcal meningitis.

♦ FUNDING for research and development of vaccines which will benefit the world’s poorest people.

♦ QUALITY CARE and support for all children and families who have already been affected for as long as they need it.

Find out more about meningitis and septicaemia in your local area. Contact a CoMO Member - they will
welcome your support!