United Kingdom

Meningitis Research Foundation

http://www.meningitis.org/
Meningitis Research Foundation's vision is a world free from meningitis and septicaemia. The charity funds research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia, and to improve survival rates and outcomes. The Foundation has the largest research funding commitment of any meningitis charity.

The charity promotes education and awareness among the public health professionals to reduce death and disability, and has won a number of awards for this work.

Meningitis Research Foundation gives support to people affected through its accredited 24 hour helpline and specialist staff.

Meningitis UK

http://www.meningitisUK.org/
Meningitis UK has a single focus - to fund lifesaving research into finding a vaccine to eradicate meningitis.

Sadly, the disease is often incredibly difficult to detect as the symptoms can be hard to distinguish from everyday ailments such as the common cold or flu, plus there are occasions when people show no or very few symptoms. For these reasons, we believe that the only way to eradicate the disease completely is through the development of a preventative vaccine.

Our 'Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign' launched in April 2007, aims to raise £7 million over the next seven years to help fund cutting-edge research to develop a vaccine against Meningitis B - the one type of meningitis in the UK for which there is currently no vaccine and which causes almost 90% of all cases.

Meningitis Trust

http://www.meningitis-trust.org/
The Meningitis Trust’s Vision is for all communities to be aware of the threat and impact of meningitis and for anyone affected to have access to quality care and support for as long as they need it.

Our Mission is to reduce the devastating impact of meningitis by:

• raising awareness of the disease with health professionals and the general public – prompt action can save a life or reduce the likelihood of after-effects
• providing the professional services and support to everyone affected for as long as they need it – helping people to rebuild their lives 
• empowering other people and organisations by working together - improving aftercare for people affected by meningitis in the UK and beyond 
• continuing to be the leading authority on the after-effects and aftercare of meningitis - fighting for those who need support for life

In the UK alone, there are over 500,000 people who have had meningitis. Over the years, thousands of families have had to face a future without a loved one and 1 in 4 adults in the UK today know of someone who has had meningitis. Those who have survived are left coping with debilitating after effects including deafness, blindness, limb loss, learning difficulties, memory issues and behavioural problems – any of which can lead to enforced lifestyle changes and relationship issues. The impact is life-changing for those directly affected and their family and friends - whatever outcome the disease leaves behind. The Meningitis Trust is here to support all those affected for life.