Our achievements

Advances in the awareness of symptoms, better understanding of treatment and, above all, the possibility of prevention through vaccination, all these are now very much in evidence.

On every front Meningitis Research Foundation has played its part, learning as we have gone along, helping to bring about change and make a difference for good.

Research Achievements

• Meningitis Research Foundation’s research led to the identification of the early ‘red flag’ symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment. The Foundation has won numerous awards for promoting the ‘red flag’ symptoms to the public and health professionals.
• Our research revealed the optimal age to vaccinate a premature baby to ensure the most effective and long-lasting protection against specific strains of meningitis. The research contributed to the introduction of a booster injection for all babies at 12 months.
• Group B Streptococcal (GBS) approximately 500 cases in babies in the UK a year. A simple dose of antibiotics given to the mother during labour can reduce the risk of a new born baby contracting GBS after birth. Our research resulted in pre-natal guidelines being developed to help health professionals identify high-risk mothers and advise them on antibiotic treatment to reduce the chances of GBS in the newborn baby.
• Pneumococcal disease kills around 1.6 million people worldwide each year, one million of whom are young children and infants. Our research project in Boston has resulted in the development of a low-cost vaccine suitable for the developing world where the disease is a major killer.

Campaign Achievements

• The Foundation launched the UK’s first public campaign to identify a septicaemic rash – the Tumbler Test. The British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners endorsed materials and campaign is credited with helping to save 15 lives in its first year alone .
• Patrons Victoria Beckham and Dr Hilary Jones launched Meningitis Baby Watch in 1999. Meningitis Baby Watch won several awards, and parents credit the card with saving their child's life. It remains one of the most effective awareness materials today.
  

Our Awards and Accolades

• In 2008 Commended by the British Medical Association Medical Book Competition Awards
• The 2007 Chartered Institute of Public Relations' Communications Award - Winner: PR on a Shoe Strong Award
• The 2007, 2000 and 1998 Pharmaceutical Marketing Communiqué Patient Association of the Year
• The 2007 winners of the Patient and Public Involvement category of the Association of Medical Research Charities' Science Communication Awards
• In 2007, the charity achieved Approved Provider Standard from the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation for our telephone befriender programme
• In 2007, the Foundation was awarded the Quality Mark Gold Award for the level of employee participation in Payroll Giving
• In 2006, the Foundation was awarded the Association of Medical Research Charities' Certificate of Best Practice in Peer Review , for our research administration procedures
• The 2004 Community Support Programme award for our Get it Sussed work with students and young adults in the Republic of Ireland
• Judy Tomlinson, a charity member, won 2004's Best Fundraiser in the national Marks and Spencer Volunteer Awards
• Scottish member Olivia Giles won the Institute of Fundraisng Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year, following nomination by the Foundation and Meningitis Trust for her work on the hugely successful fundraising event, Leap for Meningitis
• In 2004 The Battery Inn won a Charity Oscar from the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action for their support of the Foundation
• The 2003 Astra Zeneca prize for best oral presentation about the Foundation's UK Meningitis Blood Survey
• In 2002, the charity's Freefone 24 hour helpline was the first, and remains the only, meningitis helpline to attain the Telephone Helpline Association's Quality Standard
• In 2003, charity supporter Henry Thompson was awarded a CBE in regognition of his charitable work
• The 2001 Pharmaceutical Marketing Communiqué Awards' Best Patient or Public Education Project for Meningitis Baby Watch
• The 2001 Lorber Prize for Foundation-funded research at Imperial College, London about the often fatal uncontrolled blood clotting that occurs in some patients with meningococcal septicaemia
• The 2000 Pharmaceutical Marketing Communiqué Launch of the Year for Meningitis Baby Watch
• The 1998 Pharmaceutical Marketing Communiqué Patient Campaign of the Year for Get it Sussed
• The 1998 PR Week Best Healthcare Campaign