World MRSA Day

MRSA SURVIVORS NETWORK
Dedicated to Providing Awareness, Education and Support
For Immediate Release:January 12, 2009

"Activism Marks First World MRSA Day"

Chicago-based MRSA Survivors Network announces the first "World MRSA Day" to be held October 2, 2009 and commemorated each year after on this date. October will also be designated "MRSA Awareness Month" and will call attention to the worldwide epidemic. MRSA was first discovered by Patricia Jevons, a microbiologist in the UK on Oct. 2, 1960 and nearly fifty years later, MRSA has spread worldwide.

Leading consumer patient advocates in their countries are lending their voice to the call of world unity in leadership and commitment in preventing and stopping MRSA, which is pandemic and rising at alarming rates in healthcare facilities and in the community. They call upon healthcare officials and leaders to step up and take a more aggressive and comprehensive approach to eradicate this preventable disease and focus on a broad and pro-active prevention program.

The hope of "World MRSA Day" is to bring people together every year to remind them of those who have lost their lives or have diminished health because of a preventable disease. By working together, whether as an advocate, scientist, healthcare worker, policy maker, student, caregiver or a patient living with MRSA we can collectively heighten the awareness and educate others on prevention.

To help provide education and awareness, a variety of events, exhibits, materials, candlelight vigils and commemoration programs are being planned and will be announced later.

For more information contact: MRSA Survivors Network
Jeanine Thomas – National Spokesperson for MRSA - USA
630 654-4588
jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org
www.mrsasurvviors.org