Meningitis affects anyone, anywhere at any time. It develops rapidly, leaving someone with little time to seek the treatment they need to survive.
It can kill in hours, often has life-long health implications for those that do survive and has serious social and economic consequences.
On Saturday 5 October, the world will commemorate World Meningitis Day.
This global event serves as a powerful reminder of the critical need for awareness, prevention, and support for those affected by this life-threatening disease.
Meningitis can strike anywhere, and its impact can be devastating. However, through knowledge, vaccination, and collective action, we can make great strides in preventing its spread and supporting all those who have been affected.
As we prepare to observe this important day in our calendar, we invite you to share your stories, and remember those we have lost to meningitis.
LIGHT THE ROAD AHEAD
This World Meningitis Day, we want to create a global chain of light to symbolise our hopes for the aims of the World Health Organisation’s Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 and in remembrance of everyone who has lost their life, or had their life changed forever, because of meningitis.
That’s why we’re inviting everyone, across Aotearoa to join us in remembering all those directly impacted by meningitis. How? By helping to light the road ahead to mark this year’s World Meningitis Day.
Activities can be as creative as lighting up balloons, trees, bridges or buildings to as simple as lighting a candle, a photo frame or just leaving a light on.
Taking part in the global movement couldn’t be easier. Wherever you are in the world, choose something to illuminate on Saturday 5 October.
Take a picture and share it on social media to show your support.
You can extend the reach of your posts by tagging #DefeatMeningitis and #WorldMeningitisDay
This year, national landmarks across the country will light up in solidarity with the global World Meningitis Day movement.
NATIONAL LANDMARKS LIGHTING UP
The purple of The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand will be seen across the nation, beginning with the first city in the world to greet the morning sun, Gisborne.
Gisborne’s clocktower is leading the world as the first landmark to light up the night sky, symbolising the city's commitment to raising awareness about meningitis prevention and support.
Other landmarks across the country are lighting up purple in support are Invercargill’s Queens Park Feldwick Gate, Band Rotunda & Fountain Lights, Oamaru Opera House, Ashburton Clock Tower, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Christchurch Memorial Avenue Gateway Bridge, Christchurch Town Hall Ferrier Fountain, Christchurch Botanical Gardens, The New Brighton Pier, Christchurch of Remembrance, Hopwood Clock Tower, Wellington Cable Car Tunnel, Hastings Clock Tower, New Plymouth Clock Tower, Hawera Water Tower, Eden Park, the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Auckland Aotea Centre, Auckland SKY Tower and the Victoria Canopy Bridge Kotuitui Whitinga Whangarei. Our thanks to Vector Lights for their support in securing the Auckland Harbour Bridge and SKY Tower.
Take a picture of one of the landmarks and share on social media to serve as a beacon of hope for communities worldwide in the fight against this devastating disease.
As these clocks brighten our skies on World Meningitis Day, they will serve as a reminder that the clock is ticking to defeat meningitis by 2030. Every second counts.
2024 WORLD MENINGITIS DAY ASSETS
We need your help NOW to achieve our goal and protect all teenagers against the most common forms of meningococcal disease:
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