About The Foundation
Larraine Pocock knew her late son Troy had given her a message in February 2004 when she learned the Australian arm of the Meningitis Trust folded.
She was sitting with a group of friends at a cafe discussing the news that the trust had become financially unviable when a blue triangle butterfly flew back and forth across their table.
She knew then she had to take the reins of the trust and make it work in memory of the son she lost to the Meningococcal disease.
Butterflies are beautiful and only live for a short time so we always think of Troy like a butterfly, "We were in shock from the news that the trust closed and that's when the butterfly flew over our table. I knew that was Troy giving me a sign, he wanted me to carry on the foundation in his name".
So in April 2004 Larraine and her husband Richard formed the Troy Pocock Meningococcal Foundation Inc. With the help of friends and the community, we have managed to not only form a committee for the foundation but take on the task of trying to educate the community about the disease.
What is the Troy Pocock Foundation Doing?
Raising awareness amongst the preschool children
The Troy Pocock Meningococcal Foundation Inc butterfly is now teaching young children in a simple and effective form about proper hygiene in relation to Meningococcal.
$2130 funding individual drink bottles to Preschool kids July 2008
Lions Club symptom awareness magnets distributed in January 2008
1,700 drink bottles to Junior Surf Life Saving Clubs from Warilla to Eden in October 2007
5,000 drink bottles to Junior Summer Sports & Primary School kids in September 2007
A colouring-in sheet has the butterfly telling kids not to share their drink or suck their pencils. Meningococcal is spread by saliva from a person carrying the bacteria.
65,000 drink coasters with graphics of Meningococcal disease on them distributed to pubs and clubs in the Shoalhaven area in winter in 2005.
3,000 drink bottles to junior winter sports in June 2005
5,000 drink bottles currently being distributed to junior summer sport in the Shoalhaven area, plus planning to give them to local schools and kindergarten orientation day in November.
3,000 drink bottles currently in production for distribution to 17 junior surf life saving clubs on the south coast from Pambula to Warrilla.
"Fighting Meningococcal" DVD given to every pre-school, primary and high school from Nowra to Eden in 2004.
$4,400 given towards the production costs of the DVD "Managing Meningococcal" especially produced for health professionals. These DVD's were then sent to every doctor's surgery from Nowra to Eden in 2006. Also given to local hospitals and ambulance stations.
4,000 fridge magnets with the graphics of Meningococcal disease on them for distribution to local business's and schools.
20,000 cards for distribution to doctor's surgeries and schools.
We have an annual photography and art show every September, the one this year (2007) being the fourth. Troy was an avid photographer and worked in Camera House for two years before he travelled to London. The winner in the photography section hold the perpetual trophy for a year.
The Foundation has raised funds also be doing face painting at the local turf club for the children as well as handing out the sympton cards. We have also held 4 music and auction of goods at a local pub.
Showing the video to educate the community
The Troy Pocock Meningococcal Foundation Inc continue to try to educate the public and make them aware of Meningococcal Bacteria, by showing the video to organisations, including, Lions and Rotary Clubs, Legacy and Sporting Groups. Also in Primary and High Schools. They believe by educating the community through these organisations and the Schools, it will help to encourage public understanding of this deadly disease.
DVD Produced by Meningococcal Education Inc and Funded by Nanovic
TV Commercial
SYMPTOMS IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Joint pain
- Light aversion
- Tiredness and drowsiness
- Irritability or agitation
- Fitting
IN BABIES
- Fever - hands and feet may also feel cold
- Refusing feeds or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- High pitched moaning cry or whimpering
- Dislike of being handled, fretful
- Neck retraction with arching of back
- Blank and staring expression
- Bulging fontanelle
- Difficult to wake, lethargic
- Pale blotchy complexion
AND IN THE LAST STAGES A RASH
This may appear as a pinprick, mosquito bite, red spot or a purple rash.
Do not wait for a rash; it is usually the last symptom.
The above may be confusing but go with your gut instincts as a parent, if the illness is:-
- Different
- More severe
- or rapidly progressive
Seek urgent medical attention at your doctors, ring an ambulance or rush the patient to hospital.
