Houston, TX, March 24, 2009  

Meningitis Angels, a Texas-based, national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness, is excited to support the first annual World Meningitis Day (WMD) on April 25^th, 2009. The observance is being coordinated and promoted by the Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO), an Australia-based global advocacy group comprised of advocacy representatives around the world.

Meningitis Angels has several events planned for the day, including worldwide candle lighting at 6PM in each time zone so a candle will burn 24 hours around the clock in memory of someone whose life was taken by meningitis. 

Angel state team leaders from across the country will host events such as walks, runs, candle lighting services meningitis awareness and state resolution ceremonies and more. Flower seed packets of Forget Me Not  will be distributed all over the world with a message of “Planting the seeds of awareness and prevention of meningitis.” 

Frankie Milley, founder and director of Meningitis Angels, who also serves as CoMO’s global advocacy leader, said, "Angels will take this opportunity to launch their new Teen 2 Teen on Meningitis and Vaccines campaign which will include brochures, videos, a web site of its’ own, a rap song and personal stories of Angels from around the country."

CoMO members, Bob and Dee Werner, founders of The Becky Werner Meningitis Foundation and Daphne Holt, CoMO Director, took the lead planning a CoMO virtual world wide hand holding event.

Milley and the family of newest Angel, Jamie Schanbaum, have worked hard to get a resolution declaring World Meningitis Day in Texas.  Angels wishes to thank Texas Senator Edie Lucio for his leadership, compassion and support. Milley, along with other Angels, are requesting the same across the country and on a national level.

Angels are also proud to announce that Texas just became the fourth state in the country to require meningitis vaccines for 7^th grade entry.  Milley, representing Texas Angels along with the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Pediatric Society, and school nurses, worked to achieve the new mandate.  For their hard work to get this rule passed, Milley would like to thank all involved, including the Texas Department of Health, Angels Leslie Meigs, Harley Beaty and Joan Vasbinder. 

To add your WMD event, your meningitis memorial name for a virtual candle or for more information, visit: www.meningitis-angels.org. To hold hands, please visit: www.comoonline.org.