TORONTO, April 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada (MRFC) is thrilled to walk the talk on Saturday, April 26th 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.
Saturday's CN Tower EdgeWalk marks this global event and helps to raise awareness and understanding of this devastating disease. Starting at 12 noon and 12:30 pm, 12 enthusiastic individuals will join hands against an insidious disease by participating in the world's largest circle walk around the circumference of Canada's tallest structure.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to join hands with the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) and others around the world to raise awareness of this devastating disease," says Michael Redfearn, MRFC Secretary and EdgeWalk coordinator. "Meningitis is a vaccine-preventable disease 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 that peace of mind."
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.
For more information on meningitis and how to protect against this deadly disease, visit Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada at: www.meningitis.ca.
Image with caption: "2013 EdgeWalk Participants Join Hands Against Meningitis (CNW Group/Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140425_C4970_PHOTO_EN_39590.jpg
SOURCE: Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada
Kathryn Blain
Chair, Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada
519-664-0244 or 519-497-5162
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