How Far Will The Meningitis Research Foundation Of Canada Go To Highlight The Disease As Part Of A Global Awareness Day? 356 Metres In The Air!

Canada's National Voice For Meningitis Walks The Edge of The CN Tower To Raise Awareness and Funds To Fight This Devastating Disease

TORONTO, April 24, 2013 /CNW/ - The Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada (MRFC) is excited to walk the talk today in support of World Meningitis Day, a day dedicated to preventing meningitis globally by ensuring families worldwide have access to early diagnosis, preventative measures and quick treatment.

As the national group for the meningitis cause in Canada, today's event at the CN Tower marks this global event and helps to raise awareness and understanding of this devastating disease.  Starting at 1:00 pm today, the foundation members, along with supporters, will join hands to conquer any fear of heights by participating in the EdgeWalk around the circumference of Canada's tallest structure.

"This is a very important date in our calendars, where people around the world join hands to raise awareness of this devastating disease," says Michael Redfearn, Coordinator, MRFC.  "Meningitis is responsible for so many unnecessary deaths each year, this disease can be prevented and we want to ensure Canadians understand the implications, and what they can do to protect their families - we believe that every Canadian family has the right to have that peace of mind."

Later that same day, the Toronto skyline will be lit with blue and green, the colours of the Meningitis Research Foundation, as the CN Tower honours global meningitis awareness day.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is a potentially deadly inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which can be the result of infection by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bacterial meningitis is the most severe type, and it is a medical emergency. It can strike quickly, be difficult to diagnose, and can lead to death in a matter of hours. In addition, a potentially life-threatening blood poisoning called septicaemia may be associated with the disease.

After-effects, such as deafness, epilepsy, brain damage, and, with septicaemia, limb loss, may impact those surviving bacterial meningitis or septicaemia. Meningitis can affect people of all ages, but infants, children and adolescents are particularly at risk of infection.

There are effective vaccines now available to protect against many of the bacteria that cause meningitis and septicaemia.  World Meningitis Day occurs during Immunization Awareness Week, which is dedicated to highlighting the importance of protection through routine immunizations.

"Meningitis is very serious and I speak with my patients regularly about the importance of ensuring not only children, but adults are protected against this deadly disease," says Dr. Vivien Brown, family physician from the University of Toronto. "The reality is that effective immunizations are available in Canada and protect from serious illness, such as meningitis."

For more information on meningitis and how to protect against this deadly disease, visit Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada at www.meningitis.ca

SOURCE: Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada

Kathryn Blain
Chair, Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada
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Ethan Pigott
beSPEAK Communications
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