The Meningitis Flag, the first ever global symbol created for and by the meningitis community to raise awareness of this serious disease launched yesterday. Ideated by creative agency Leith, the Flag was created as part of a broader integrated awareness campaign for Sanofi, the global biopharmaceutical company, Meningitis Research Foundation and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), and launched online and across social on 28 August 2023.
Meningitis is a potentially devastating disease that can strike at any time. Affecting more than 2.5 million people globally each year, one in ten will die of the disease with 50% of these deaths occurring amongst children aged five and under. Despite significant progress made over the last 20 years, meningitis is still the world’s 6th largest infectious disease killer.
Inspired by how the proudest moment for any athlete is to fly their country’s flag, Leith supported development of the Meningitis Flag that represents patients, families, and the community. For the para-athletes who have defeated meningitis, they not only fly their country’s flag, they fly this visible symbol of unity to defeat meningitis.
The Meningitis Flag was co-designed with Scottish based textile designer, Laura Spring, whose family have been affected by meningitis in the past; co-created with para-athletes affected by meningitis: Ellie Challis (Great Britain), Théo Curin (France) and Davide Morana (Italy); and the film was directed by Juriaan Booii, of Ridley Scott Associates, also a survivor of meningitis.
The flag features three distinct layers of shapes and colours:
- The yellow semi-circle represents the patient, symbolising hope and emphasising the importance of every individual
- The purple triangle signifies the care and support provided by families. Pointing upwards like an arrow, it represents the speed and positivity in the race against meningitis
- The sea of blue symbolizes the calm determination of the broader movement to defeat this disease by the meningitis community
The campaign will run on digital media in multiple markets and will be amplified by macro-influencers, international athletes, Meningitis Research Foundation and CoMo members globally. Ellie Challis (Great Britain), Théo Curin (France) and Davide Morana (Italy) will act as ambassadors for the cause by sharing the symbol and their own personal stories throughout the campaign.
Featured image: The Meningitis Flag was inspired by and co-created with the meningitis community, including three para-athletes affected by the disease: Ellie Challis (Great Britain), Théo Curin (France) and Davide Morana (Italy)