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The parents who started Meningitis Now were determined to do everything they could to fight meningitis. But they knew that meningitis is not an enemy you can take on alone. With every new supporter who joined us we got stronger, louder and more effective.

35 years later, Meningitis Now remains committed to the fight against meningitis. Saving lives and rebuilding futures by funding research, raising awareness and providing support for people whose lives have been changed by meningitis.

We offer an unrivalled range of information and support services. We are here to provide emotional, practical and financial support for everyone in the UK who has been affected by meningitis, completely free of charge.

We fund vital research that could one day end the devastation caused by meningitis forever and help us understand more about how to support those affected.聽

We raise awareness across the UK, with the help of our supporters. Their powerful stories help us inform people about the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and the importance of acting fast. We鈥檙e equally committed to raising awareness of the five life-saving vaccines available on the NHS.聽

Every day we move a step closer towards a future free of meningitis. Until that day comes, we'll be here.

I鈥檓 so pleased to be supporting Meningitis Now鈥檚 Lifeline appeal. I saw first-hand the amazing work they do after I contracted viral meningitis in 2010. Fortunately, I made a full recovery but it was a very painful and scary experience.

Every day in the UK, 22 people contract meningitis. One in ten of those who contract bacterial meningitis will die. Many more will be left with life-changing after-effects including limb loss, acquired brain injury and hearing loss. Thankfully Meningitis Now is here to fund life-saving research, raise vital awareness and provide support for anyone in the UK whose life has been touched by meningitis.聽

With your support, Meningitis Now can continue their amazing work and achieve their vision 鈥� a future where nobody in the UK dies of meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Harmonie-Rose contracted meningitis as a baby in 2014 and nearly died. She is now six years old and has been left with several after-effects, including limb loss, scarring and kidney problems. Meningitis Now have supported Harmonie, her mum Freya and the rest of their family in many different ways. One of those was our Family Days. These days out give children the chance to be children. And give parents the chance to meet other families who understand how tough life after meningitis can be.

Harmonie is Meningitis Now鈥檚 first Junior Ambassador. She and her family have raised a huge amount of awareness of meningitis, and Harmonie is also a fantastic fundraiser for Meningitis Now. Last year, Harmonie raised over 拢74,000 through her 2.6 challenge, by doing six things she was told she may never be able to do, including walking, drawing and doing cartwheels.聽

Losing a loved one to meningitis is one of the hardest things anyone will ever have to face. Julia鈥檚 daughter Emily died on New Year鈥檚 Day 2014 after contracting meningitis. Emily was 19 years old.聽

Meningitis Now have supported Julia and her family through peer support groups, counselling and our Forever Weekend bereavement events. Forever Weekends provide the opportunity for people like Julia to talk about their loved one, take part in sessions with bereavement specialists and meet other people who really understand what they鈥檙e going through.

Julia is committed to raising awareness of the risk of meningitis to teenagers and young adults and the vaccines that help protect them. Emily鈥檚 family and friends have raised 拢37,000 for Meningitis Now in her memory.

Sophia contracted meningitis aged 3 months. Sophia is now 6 and a half years old and as a result of meningitis she has global developmental delays and is mostly non-verbal. However, this does not define Sophia. Her mum Joanna says, 鈥淪he may be small in stature but her personality is giant 鈥� she loves Disney, dressing up and playing with her brother, cousins and friends. She leaves a little glitter wherever she goes, and has an infectious giggle and the ability to seek out mischief. No-one will ever tell her she can't do something 鈥� she鈥檒l find a way.鈥�

Meningitis Now have supported Joanna and Sophia through Family Days and their local Community Support Officer, Alison. We鈥檝e also helped through our Rebuilding Futures Fund, which provides practical, financial and emotional support for people affected by meningitis.聽

Through the Fund, Sophia was awarded an iPad with a 鈥榯alker鈥� app. This means for the first time ever Sophia can make her voice heard to anyone around her. It has opened up a world of choice, increased her confidence, allowed her to communicate independently, and even to order her favourite pizza in a restaurant.