Fantastic event in Renville!
World Meningitis Day has been arranged by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) and is supported by the Meningitis Trust to raise awareness of meningitis across the world. To learn how to “Join Hands Against Meningitis” in a virtual global community Log onto www.comoonline.org To mark the event three people from Galway who know the true devastation of the disease have joined Connacht rugby captain John Muldoon to show the importance of support that is needed following meningitis. They are Siobhan Carroll whose daughter, Aoibhe, died in April 2008 when she was 4 years old. Macha Ní Bhrádaigh whose sister Sadhbh died on December 26, 2009 aged 18, and Liam Cullinane who contracted meningitis in 1993 which affected his mobility and speech. The trio are campaigning for everyone in Ireland to be aware of the consequences meningitis can have on families and the support which is needed. Siobhan Carroll says; “The support we received from the Meningitis Trust since we lost our 4yr old daughter Aoibhe has helped us so much. We don’t feel so alone, and we know that there is always someone there to talk to.” Macha Ní Bhrádaigh says; “losing Sadhbh to meningitis has changed my life completely. I feel that the students out there need to be more aware of meningitis. They need to look after their health and be aware that a rash does not appear in an awful lot of cases” Liam Cullinane says; “Initial symptoms of meningitis can manifest as pretty bog standard ones for that ... feeling a bit off. But by the time those symptoms are clearly not those of just that feeling a bit off, its often too late . far far too late.” With at least one case of meningitis a day in Ireland, and 30% of adults knowing someone who has had the disease, those affected would be left to face life after meningitis on their own if the charity did not exist. 1 in 10 who contract meningitis will die, leaving behind devastated family and friends while survivors can be left with various after-effects which can include brain damage, blindness, deafness, limb loss (where septicaemia has occurred), learning difficulties and behavioural issues. Carole Nealon, General Manager at the Meningitis Trust, says; “. It is traumatic when meningitis strikes, not just for the individual but for the families and friends that that experience this dreadful illness. On this World Meningitis Day we are calling on families to turn to us to get the support they need”. Carole continues; “We are the only organisation that is solely focused on supporting those whose lives have been left devastated. ‘World Meningitis Day’ highlights the need for our work.”. For more information, if you have been affected by meningitis and need support, or would like to make a donation to help us continue our work visit www.meningitis-trust.ie or call the Trust’s helpline on 1800 523 196 available 24-hours a day. CHARITY VOLUNTEER WINS VODAFONE ‘WORLD OF DIFFERENCE’ PLACEMENTA Co Galway mum who lost her daughter to meningitis has been chosen by Vodafone for its ‘World of Difference’ programme – paying for her to volunteer for her chosen charity, the Meningitis Trust, for three months. Siobhan Carroll, whose four year-old daughter, Aoibhe, died suddenly of meningitis in April 2008, is one of just 30 people across Ireland to be chosen for the placement – working for different charities and organisations across the country. Siobhan and her husband Noel are active volunteers for the Meningitis Trust already. With the help of family and friends and members of their local community in Oranmore and Galway, they have raised over €40,000 in Aoibhe’s memory, distributed thousands of potentially lifesaving meningitis information leaflets and symptoms cards to local schools and crèches, and organised a number of events. Siobhan has also taken part in the Dublin mini marathon for the charity, something which she plans to do again this year. Speaking from the Rooftop at Arnotts at the "World of Difference on Ice" party for the 30 winners Carole Nealon, General Manager for the Meningitis Trust says; "We are absolutely delighted that Siobhan has been selected for this placement. We have worked with Siobhan and Noel and their family since their terrible loss and they are a wonderful family who selflessly do so much to ensure others don’t go through what they have. Siobhan is over the moon to have been selected too – and we can’t wait to start working with her on this. Carole continues; "As a charity, we are reliant on voluntary contributions to continue our work, so having Siobhan on board for three months is incredibly valuable to us. We already feel that she is part of our team, but this placement will mean that Siobhan can build on all of her and her family’s hard work so far. We are excited about what we can achieve in these three months together and we are grateful to Vodafone for this unique opportunity". Meningitis is a life changing disease as many as 34,000 people living in the Ireland today have had either viral or bacterial meningitis – many of whom have been left to cope with the after-effects every day. The Meningitis Trust supports anyone affected by this life-changing disease through its free professional aftercare and support services. These include a 24-hour helpline (1800 523 196 from Republic and 0800 028 1828 from Northern Ireland), staffed by nurses, counselling, bereavement support and home visits. The Trust also distributes thousands of leaflets, posters, symptoms cards, information sheets and other materials which raise awareness of meningitis. Editor’s Notes: For more information, please contact Ger Mills at the Meningitis Trust on 090 6450351 or 087 9680068 or email germills@meningitis-trust.ie Or visit the website at www.meningitis-trust.ie Meningitis Trust Freephone Helpline Number: 1800 523 196 09 DECEMBER 2010 IRELAND IS TOLD ‘don’t wait for a rash’ Around 57% of adults in Ireland are risking death with the mistaken belief that the main symptom of meningitis is a rash. Believing the rash is the only symptom is costing lives; as the rash (a sign of blood poisoning) does not always appear. When it does it is often one of the last symptoms to be displayed, often too late. National charity the Meningitis Trust is launching a campaign today to stop this deadly misconception. Knowing and recognizing the other signs and symptoms of meningitis and acting quickly is the only way to reduce the devastating impact meningitis can have. Meningitis can start with ‘flu like’ symptoms; fever with cold hands and feet, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights, joint or muscle pain, pale blotchy skin, drowsiness, confusion, and as well in babies, a dislike of being handled, an unusual cry, rapid breathing and a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the top of the head). Research by the Meningitis Trust has indicated that 57% of people immediately think of a rash when identifying meningitis – and it is so worried by the findings that it is hammering home the message ‘Don’t Wait for a Rash’. Carole Nealon, General Manager of the charity, says; "By thinking meningitis is just a rash, people are dying. "It is time the public takes notice and makes a fight against this terrifying deadly disease". The charity is also frightened to find that up 7% of adults in Ireland cannot name a single sign or symptom; causing serious concern to health professionals. Catherine Hill from Cork knows firsthand how terrifying and life changing meningitis is. In May 2008, Catherine’s eight week old son, Keelan, woke up moaning and he was very irritable. Later in the morning Catherine and her husband couldn’t hold him as it seemed to make him worse. The local GP sent the family straight to hospital and during the journey Keelan became limp, grey and had a high temperature. By the time they had reached the hospital all the colour had drained out of him. Later that day a lumbar puncture confirmed the Keelan had pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The doctors worked very hard and three weeks later he was discharged. Catherine says; "What confused us was that he didn’t have a rash at any time and this was the only thing I associated with meningitis before our experience. It is a disease that can affect any family and as terrible as our experience has been, there are other families that have not been as lucky and have had their lives torn apart by this terrible disease". Lifesaving information is provided free by the Meningitis Trust by calling its freephone 24-hour nurse-staffed helpline on 1800 523 196 and requesting information or a signs and symptoms card, or visiting www.meningitis-trust.ie. ENDS Research was carried out by Millward Brown IMS in April 2009. The sample was selected was nationally represented in terms of gender, age, social class and region and 1,000 adults (15+ years) were asked. For further information please contact: Lisa Slattery, Community Services Nurse at the Meningitis Trust, directly on 01 8459488 0 or email lisas@meningitis-trust.ie. Or visit the website at www.meningitis-trust.ie.
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All went swimmingly in Co Donegal!
The Meningitis Trust, Ireland’s leading meningitis support organisation, is highlighting the importance of why support after meningitis is essential this ‘World Meningitis Day’ (April 24).
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