Search 4 a Vaccine
Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7 million over the next seven years to help fund cutting-edge research to develop a vaccine against Meningitis B, which causes almost 90% of cases in the UK and for which there is currently no vaccine.
Scientists believe that with enough support, this can be achieved within the next 7-10 years - possibly even sooner. The date of the launch - the fourth of the fourth - highlights the devastating fact that ‘Meningitis can kill in under 4 hours'.
The campaign will also raise public awareness of the common symptoms and need to act quickly which, until a vaccine is found, can mean the difference between life and death.
To launch the campaign, 10-year-old Louise Greer from Northern Ireland, who sadly lost her legs and an arm to meningitis, appeared o GMTV on 4th April, with her mum Gwen and Doctor Hilary Jones.
Professor Ian Feavers from Meningitis UK's Scientific Medical Advisory Panel speaking at the search 4 a Vaccine Campaign launch on 4th of April 2007
Professor Ian Feavers from Meningitis UK's Scientific Medical Advisory Panel, said: "In the past ten years there have been significant advances in the search for a comprehensive vaccine against meningococcal meningitis, including disease caused by group B organisms. Meningitis UK is better placed than ever before to find a way of preventing this devastating disease. With the necessary funding, scientists could succeed in sending a vaccine to trial in less than 10 years."
Celebrity Support
The launch of Meningitis UK’s ‘Search 4 A Vaccine’ has attracted a host of key celebrities, keen to support the charity’s mission to find a vaccine for meningitis:
Lee Sharpe, the former Manchester United winger who now has a thriving career in reality TV, suffered from a bout of viral meningitis in the early 1990s, and is now a supporter of raising the awareness of meningitis, its symptoms and how to find a vaccine.
In the summer of 1992 Lee was struck down with illness during pre-season training with Manchester United. He had a range of symptoms from migraines, sickness, and slurred speech. After a couple of days of worsening symptoms Lee was taken to hospital and diagnosed with viral meningitis.
He said: “It was a worrying time for a while as no one really knew what was wrong with me straight away and none of us really new much about viral meningitis before, it’s not something you read about much or know about. I was lucky enough to recover back to full health but for so many people, meningitis destroys lives and the lives of families after their loved ones have gone.
I am proud to support the Meningitis UK’s “Search 4 a Vaccine”. I urge people to please support the “Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign” and help raise funds to find a vaccine.”
Philippa Forrester says: “As a mum of three children I am all too aware of the threat of meningitis and the devastating affects it can have on a family. Meningitis is such a dangerous disease because of the speed and ferocity with which it strikes. Often by the time the red spots or rash shows, it is often too late. People need to be more aware of what symptoms to look out for. Early recognition of meningitis and fast treatment can often mean the difference between life and death.
Meningitis UK has a single focus – to find a vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis. We all need to support this mission, not only for our own children and families, but for future generations too. Please support the “Search 4 a vaccine Campaign” and help raise funds to find a vaccine.”
Beverley Knight says: “Last year I lost my baby cousin Makai when he was five and a half months old. In 72 hours, he went from his cot to a hospital morgue. This is the speed at which meningitis kills. Stephanie and Dwayne, his parents, are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of their only child. His death has left a gaping hole in the lives of our whole family, and what makes this so painful to endure is that our story is being repeated over and over again, every day, in many families all over the UK.
Measures must be taken to help put an end to the misery suffered by the many thousands affected by meningitis. Education has been a positive step in the right direction, however, we desperately need the funding necessary to find a preventative vaccine. Please support the "Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign" so we can raise seven million pounds over seven years to put this plan into action.”
What Your Money Could Buy...
Meningitis affects thousands of people every year and is a disease which can strike incredibly quickly and devastate in hours. Obviously, the more support we get, the sooner a vaccine can be developed and the less lives will be lost or devastatingly changed. Below is a list of what your money could buy:
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
