MRF launches Christmas Campaign

Supporters launch new Christmas campaign

MRF supporters are launching a new Christmas appeal and awareness campaign after they have been affected by the disease.  MRF's 12 days of Christmas campaign is an urgent call to support twelve days of action to prevent death and disability from meningitis as cases rise in the winter months.

In winter, there are three times more cases of bacterial meningitis than in summer months. Wintertime illnesses, like flu, are thought to enable meningitis causing bacteria to invade the body more easily through the nose and throat, and they can spread more rapidly when people spend longer periods together indoors.

Ten year old Matthew Rich from Plymouth, Stephanie King from Poole, Adam Bruton from Dublin and ten year old Jothi Brown from Hitchin are all supporting MRF's Christmas Appeal after they were affected by meningitis.  You can read more about their stories here.

Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of MRF said, “We’re grateful that Matthew, Jothi, Stephanie and Adam are helping us launch the Christmas fundraising and awareness campaign.  While younger children, babies and teenagers are most vulnerable to meningitis, all ages are at risk.  Sadly we see even more individuals and families affected by during winter, particularly around Christmas, but it can be difficult to recognise at first. Even a doctor may not be able to diagnose it in the early stages, which is why it’s so important for everyone to know the symptoms and for parents to trust their instincts. If you, or someone you know is ill and getting rapidly worse, people should not be afraid to seek urgent medical help - even if they’ve already been seen by a doctor that same day.”

“During the 12 Days of Christmas campaign we will be distributing awareness materials to those at highest risk so that people know the signs and symptoms before the holidays and can take action fast to save lives. We also need funding to supporting research to understand if people with wintertime infections, like flu, are more likely to carry high numbers of meningitis bacteria and therefore be more infectious. You can help fund this vital work.”

Early symptoms are usually fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell. Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion.