meningitis & septicaemia can kill in hours!

People who are faced with meningitis and septicaemia have to act fast to help save a life.

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Patient & public involvement

If you are a Member of the Foundation, we offer you a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes at one of our research projects by taking part in our programme of research site visits.

Site Visits

Site visits are used by many organisations, including the NHS and other charitable and grant giving organisations. The idea behind site visits is to involve fundraisers and people who have been impacted by the disease in the research by the most direct means - going to see the work itself.

We hope that meeting the researchers and hearing about the valuable work being done to combat meningitis and septicaemia will be a valuable experience for both our members and the scientists. For those who have ever helped fundraise it will be a way to see how your money has been spent.

What’s involved

A small group accompanied by MRF staff will visit the research institution. Also present may be: local fundraising groups and supporters, other members of MRF staff (i.e. communications team) and potentially the press.

The visits will vary according to the nature/location of the project, but should include a number of the following –

Tour of the facilities
Talk from the researcher concerning the nature of the project
Meet the researchers team
Opportunities to ask questions about the research
Have a photo taken with the researcher and / or the research team.

Site visitors will be asked if they would like to write about their experience. This account can then potentially be used in our member’s magazine - Microscope or for other fundraising and awareness purposes. We would also be interested in your thoughts on how we can improve the site visit program; this is a new initiative for us and we will be looking for ways to make it better.

Upcoming visits

Viral meningitis in adults
Date: Tuesday 3 July 2012 at around 2.30pm until 5pm
Location: Institution of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool

Professor Tom Solomon and Dr Fiona McGill are currently being funded by MRF to look at viral meningitis in adults, an area that is fairly under researched when compared to bacterial meningitis.

Although most people recover with no noticeable effects, some patients with viral meningitis can develop persisting cognitive impairment such as short-term memory loss and attention deficits.

Read more about the project.

The afternoon is likely to include: an update from the researchers about the work, the chance to look down the microscope at what happens during meningitis, and to meet Bella the Brain!

The final details of the day are still to be confirmed but if you are interested in attending, please contact Gill Currie on 01454 280410 or by emailing gillianc@meningitis.org.