Today (Tuesday April 24) is World Meningitis Day, and up to one million people around the globe are ‘joining hands against meningitis’, increasing public awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease, highlighting the need for urgent treatment and calling for children to be fully vaccinated.

The awareness day is organised by the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMo), which is urging people all over the world to join in the effort to reduce the global impact of the disease.

Here in the UK, the Meningitis Trust teamed up with other meningitis charities, the Meningitis Research Foundation and Meningitis UK, in the run up to last Sunday’s London Marathon, when runners from each charity stood in solidarity to highlight the global fight against meningitis.

Representing the Trust was Zoran Andjelkovic, who ran the marathon in memory of his son Luka, who died of meningitis in 2009. He said: “The London Marathon is such an exciting event, and I’m really pleased to have been able to run it and raise funds for the Meningitis Trust. I lost my son to meningitis, and that was a really hard time for me and my family. The Trust supported us when we needed them, and it’s a cause that’s really close to my heart. I’m really glad to have this opportunity to give something back, and help them in their vital work, raising awareness of meningitis and supporting those affected by this terrible disease.”

Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust, added: “For every death from meningitis, there are many more people who are living with the often devastating impact of the disease. Their lives have changed forever. We hope World Meningitis Day will show them that they are not alone and that meningitis organisations across the world are working together, not just to help save lives but to rebuild futures too.”

Show your support for fighting meningitis by ‘virtually’ joining hands with people all over the world on the World Meningitis Day website. Go to http://comoonline.org/ for more details.

CoMO has also launched a video entitled ‘If I’d known then what I know now’ that features a range of people affected by meningitis and shares their knowledge in an effort to educate others. The video can be accessed at: http://www.youtube.com/user/COMOmeningitis/featured