Meningitis Centre Australia is a not for profit organisation that raises awareness and educates people about meningococcal disease. The Centre is looking for a café supporter Australia wide that can help them generate interest and engagement in this disease with your customers.
WHO is Meningitis Centre Australia?
MCA was started 26 years ago in 1992 with Professor Fiona Stanley (Australian of the Year 2003) and Bruce Langoulant (daughter Ashleigh who contracted Pneumococcal meningitis at 6 months of age and is severely disabled).
The central focus of this NFP has always been to raise awareness about a disease which can kill within 24 hours no matter what age you are, time of year or where you are.
WHAT does Meningitis Centre Australia do?
MCA has successfully lobbied over the years for vaccines to be included on the National Immunisation Plan for various diseases including Pneumococcal Meningitis, Meningococcal C, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), ACWY and Meningococcal B in South Australia.
We also attend baby and children’s expos throughout the country raising awareness of the disease and what vaccinations are available.
We have World Meningitis Day on April 24th and August is Meningococcal Awareness Month.
We go to university campuses, child care centres, GP clinics and hospitals to do presentations on awareness of the disease.
We have created several videos including 6 videos last year on meningitis survivors and our achievements.
WHAT is Meningococcal disease and WHO is at risk?
Meningococcal disease is a bacteria that sits in the back of the nose and throat of 30 per cent of the population and usually lies dormant there. However when a carrier lets out a big sneeze or cough around a person who has a low immune system and is unvaccinated, that person has a higher than average chance of contracting the disease.
It has Flu like symptoms except the person goes downhill rapidly. Sometimes a rash occurs, but we stress DO NOT WAIT FOR A RASH! Meningitis or Meningococcal can kill within 24 hours if no medical treatment is sought.
The difference between meningococcal and meningitis is when the bacteria travels to the brain and affects the meninges in the brain it becomes meningitis.
You can also get Viral Meningitis which is similar flu-like symptoms but most people make a full recovery and there is NO vaccine.
Children under the age of 5 years are the most at risk of contracting this disease because of their underdeveloped immune system.
Teenagers aged between 15-19 years are the biggest carriers of the disease because of their social interaction in the community (festivals, night clubbing, deep kissing, sharing of food and drink and late nights and a rundown immune system).
There are 17 strains of meningococcal disease that have been diagnosed however there are only vaccines for 5 of these strains A, C, W-135, Y and B.
Meningococcal B is the most common form of meningococcal disease in Australia and there is a vaccine for it, however it is very expensive for most families (costing approximately $135 per dose where at least 2 doses are required).
Meningococcal W is the second most common strain however it is considered the deadliest strain out of all of them. There is a vaccine for this as well, known as ACWY which will protect against these 4 strains. It has recently been added to the National Immunisation Plan through hard campaigning by MCA.
WHERE can you see us?
Meningitis Centre Australia is visibly active on social media platforms come LIKE, SHARE or FOLLOW us at the following:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeningitisCentre/
Instagram: meningitis_centre_australia
Twitter: @MeningitisAust
LinkedIn: Meningitis Centre Australia
Website: meningitis.com.au
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
We are looking for a café owner that may have several stores around Australia or even individual cafes scattered around the country that could easily distribute our message or support us.
What would you like to do to assist us? Maybe we can have a discussion about what ideas or events would be convenient to both parties?
Maybe you can help raise money for us with a percentage of coffees going towards the Centre?
We can get funky compostable coffee cups with our logo on it and maybe you can use them in your café?
We can share our partnership and promotions on social media
Whatever is comfortable for you, we are happy to discuss.
Give me a call or drop me an email.
Thanks for reading!
Lisa D’Cruz
Executive Officer
Meningitis Centre Australia
11 Aberdare Road
Nedlands WA 6009
Phone: (08) 6457 3404 or 0424 068 880
