World MRSA Day Event Live - October 1, 2010

CHICAGO, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The World MRSA Day kickoff global event at Loyola University Chicago will broadcast live via webstream on October 1, 2010 starting at 10:00AM (CDT) and can be viewed on 3M's website and at www.worldmrsaday.org.

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"We are all in this together - the community and healthcare industry are united to raise awareness, educate the public on prevention and to save lives. Millions around the world can learn about the global MRSA epidemic and how to protect themselves and their family during the event," states founder Jeanine Thomas.

MRSA has spread at an alarming rate not just in human colonization and infections, but in farm and zoo animals and also in family pets.  MRSA has been found on beaches in the U.S., in sea animals and possibly the food supply. Scientists around the world are alarmed.

Chicago Kickoff Event

The annual main kickoff event in Chicago on October 1, 2010 begins with the Press Conference at 10:00am, followed by the Remembrance Ceremony, main event, Awards Ceremony and is open to the public with donations being accepted at the door. This is a prelude to World MRSA Day, October 2 events and World MRSA Awareness Month, October taking place in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. The Global theme for 2010 and 2011 is "The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action."

A first-of-its-kind World MRSA Day virtual parade will be featured during the event and created to reveal the full story about the MRSA epidemic and is sponsored by StaphAseptic.

Official sponsors for 2010 are: StaphAseptic, 3M, Roche, Kimberly-Clark, Ever-Safe, Covidien, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Health Systems and media sponsor NBC5 Chicago.

Keynote Speaker

World-renowned MRSA expert and infectious disease specialist, Dr. William R. Jarvis, who was formerly with the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is the Keynote Speaker and also the recipient of the 'Barry M. Farr Lifetime Achievement Award.'

Rob Stafford, anchor for NBC5 Chicago nightly news and contributing correspondent for Dateline NBC is the emcee.

Recipient of the 'Woman of the Year Award' is Christine Cahill, RN and an infection preventionist and Derek Butler, chair of MRSA Action UK is honored with the 'Man of the Year Award.'

MRSA Activists

MRSA activists and survivors are traveling from across the United States to share their stories and to help raise awareness. Powerful, compelling personal stories of survival and loss will reveal the impact on families of this secret and silent killer. Activists urgently plea for immediate response and action by the (WHO) World Health Organization, the (UN) United Nations, the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Congress and Ministers of Health to declare MRSA an epidemic and appropriate funds toward education, awareness programs and prevention initiatives.

World MRSA Awareness Month -Times Square, New York City

To help raise awareness for World MRSA Awareness Month a photo along with a caption will be featured on PRNewswire's digital billboard after the October 1, 2010 Chicago kickoff event and will be viewed by over one million people.

October 2, 2010 a Prayer Service and event will be held at the Ballard Nature Center in Altamont, Illinois beginning at 10:00AM and is open to the public.

October 1, 2010 Kings College Hospital, London, UK is holding an event for MRSA awareness with MRSA Action UK.

MRSA Survivors Network – The Catalyst for Change

MRSA Survivors Network was the first patient and consumer advocacy organization in the United States to raise the alarm about MRSA and healthcare-acquired infections. Jeanine Thomas founder of MRSA Survivors Network and World MRSA Day became critically ill and nearly died from MRSA sepsis and C. difficile after ankle surgery.

Special thanks to: The Maclyn Group, Webforce, and TrueProductions.

For further information on how to make a difference, get active, volunteer, donate, or  to help families and save lives contact: [email protected], [email protected] and (630) 325-4354 USA.

SOURCE MRSA Survivors Network