Download World renowned photographer Anne Geddes launches global

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MEDIA RELEASE • COMMUNIQUE AUX MEDIAS • MEDIENMITTEILUNG
World renowned photographer Anne Geddes launches global
campaign in the UK to highlight the impact of meningitis

Protecting Our Tomorrows is a new global campaign which aims to broaden
awareness about the importance of meningitis prevention

In the UK bacterial meningitis and septicaemia are the leading causes of death
from infectious disease in children under five, striking around 3,400 people every
year, killing one in ten1,2,3

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent and control bacterial meningitis
and septicaemia however children are not currently protected against all types
Frimley, 8th October 2013: The UK today hosts the global launch of a unique
photography project with celebrated photographer and global advocate for children Anne
Geddes. The campaign aims to highlight the ongoing threat of bacterial meningitis and
septicaemia, which kills more UK children under the age of five than any other infectious
disease.1
Anne Geddes will partner with meningitis charities from around the world along with the
international Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) to meet and photograph
families who have been affected by the disease. Through a series of emotive and
inspirational photographs of survivors, the Protecting Our Tomorrows campaign aims to
educate parents about the threat of meningitis, as well as the importance of prevention.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent and control bacterial meningitis and
septicaemia, however children are not currently protected against all types.
Today’s launch is being marked with a 3,400-strong teddy bears’ picnic on London’s
Potters Field, in the shadow of City Hall and the iconic Tower Bridge. This eye-catching
installation neatly illustrates the burden of this life-threatening disease in the UK, with
each bear representing someone who will contract bacterial meningitis and septicaemia
every year.2
Bacterial meningitis and septicaemia are sudden, aggressive diseases that can kill within
24 hours of symptom onset.4 Babies, toddlers and adolescents are highly susceptible,
with infants under one at the greatest risk.3 Bacterial meningitis and septicaemia can be
caused by several different types of bacteria including pneumococcus, Hib and
meningococcus. The leading cause in the UK is meningococcal group B (MenB), which
accounts for more than half of all cases.2 Approximately 10 percent of people who
contract bacterial meningitis will die despite appropriate treatment.3 Of those who
survive, as many as one in five will suffer life-long complications, such as brain damage,
learning disabilities, hearing loss and limb loss.5
This activity has been organised by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited
UK/MNG/13-0015e
Date of prep: Oct 2013
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Anne Geddes commented: “I’ve never met a parent who didn’t prioritise their children’s
health and future above all else. Now we need to empower parents to understand the
dangers associated with meningitis. It is my goal that these images will capture the
inspiration and strength of these survivors while illustrating the life-changing impact this
disease has on families every year.”
CoMO member organisations the Meningitis Research Foundation and newly-merged
Meningitis Trust and Meningitis UK are united in support of the Protecting Our
Tomorrows campaign in the UK. Chris Head, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Research
Foundation commented: “This campaign offers a powerful opportunity to put a personal
face on a life-threatening disease. Too many children and their families still have to battle
with this illness, and its consequences, every year”.
Sue Davie, Chief Executive of the Meningitis Trust and Meningitis UK, added: “We are so
grateful to Anne Geddes for supporting CoMO’s worldwide campaign. We have to keep
meningitis prevention high on the health agenda, making sure we take every step
possible to protect our children from an illness that steals lives and futures.”
Dr Rob Hicks, GP commented: “I’m all too aware of the devastating impact bacterial
meningitis and septicaemia can have on children and their families and so am extremely
keen to do everything I can to raise awareness of these potentially deadly diseases. In
the absence of vaccines to protect against all causes of bacterial meningitis it is vital that
parents remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms and this new campaign provides an
excellent way to help share this life-saving message.”
Anne, who has taken some of the most celebrated images of childhood throughout a 30year career, will now work with UK meningitis charities over the coming months to
identify and photograph inspiring stories of meningitis survivors. These images will be
curated with others from the rest of the world within a special photo book to convey the
sudden and profound impact of meningitis. The book will be launched on 24th April 2014
to mark the annual World Meningitis Day, led by CoMO.
This activity has been organised by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited.
ENDS
About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of
patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified
portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic
pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal
health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas.
In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the
Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment
and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 129,000 fulltime-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For
more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
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Media contacts
For further information or to arrange interviews with Anne Geddes, a paediatrician or
someone who has been affected by meningitis please contact:
This activity has been organised by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited
UK/MNG/13-0015e
Date of prep: Oct 2013
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Charlotte Collins, Ruder Finn
Direct: +44 (0) 2074 383055
Mobile: +44 (0) 7867 451156
[email protected]
Stuart Mayell, Ruder Finn
Mobile: +44 (0) 7956 531394
[email protected]
Notes to editors
About meningitis
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and
spinal cord. These bacteria usually live harmlessly in the back of the throat. Most of us
will carry them at some stage in our lives without becoming ill, and they help us build up
natural immunity (protection against the disease). Occasionally, these germs get past the
body’s defences and cause infection.
Symptoms of meningitis include fever, vomiting, severe headache, rash (not present in
all cases), stiff neck*, dislike of bright lights*, very sleepy/vacant/difficult to wake,
confused/deliriousness and seizures (fits). *Unusual in young children. Other symptoms
in babies include a tense or bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head), refusing to feed,
being irritable when picked up with a high pitched or moaning cry, a stiff body with jerky
movements or a floppy and lifeless body.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Office for National Statistics. Mortality statistics: Deaths registered in 2010 (Series DR) Table 5.1.
Available at: http://bit.ly/uHcnTt. Accessed October 2013
Meningitis Research Foundation. UK Facts and Figures (webpage). Available at:
www.meningitis.org/facts. Accessed October 2013
Health Protection Agency Epidemiological Data webpage. Available at:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/topics/infectiousdiseases/infectionsAZ/meninococcaldisease/epidemiologicaldata
/ Accessed October 2013
World Health Organization. Meningococcal meningitis factsheet. Nov 2012. Available at:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/. Accessed October 2013
Rosenstein NE, et al. Meningococcal disease. N Engl J Med 2001;344:1378-88
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Date of prep: Oct 2013
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