The power of WE is stronger than the power of ME

Strong together against meningitis and encephalitis

ItsME Foundation is working towards a future in which meningitis and encephalitis are recognized sooner and treated more effectively. Because time makes all the difference.

The M and E in ItsME stand for Meningitis and Encephalitis.

We make scientific research possible by raising funds through donors, our own campaigns, and third-party initiatives organized by others. Together, we make it possible to change lives.

At the same time, we raise awareness and stand alongside those affected and those who have lost a loved one, with focus on recognition, support, and connection. Together, we build lasting impact.

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Walk with ME 2026

27 juni code rood. Geen 50 kilometer, maar kijken naar wat wél mogelijk was. Precies zoals zoveel mensen na een hersen(vlies)ontsteking iedere dag opnieuw doen. We pasten de dag aan, liepen rondes van 5 kilometer en hielden rekening met de hitte en met elkaar. Samen kleurden we code rood groen....
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Golf with ME 2026

Golf with ME op 15 juni 2026 op Golfclub De Pan bracht sport, onderzoek en persoonlijke verhalen op een bijzondere manier samen. Op de baan en tijdens het diner ontstonden waardevolle ontmoetingen tussen patiënten, onderzoekers, vrijwilligers, partners en donateurs. Juist die gesprekken maakten zichtbaar hoe krachtig verbinding kan zijn. Wil...
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Run with ME 2026

With 131 participants and nearly €19,000 in sponsorship, the Run with ME was a great success in 2026. We will also be organising the Run with ME in 2027. Keep an eye on our website for the new date. Run with ME is more than a running event. It is...

Stories from our community

They experienced it
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Sander Hendrix

Herpes simplex encephalitis & Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

The Day Everything Changed. On 12 September 2020, my brain suddenly didn't...

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Carlien Jansen

Meningitis & encephalitis

As a young girl, I always had one big dream, to give children in Africa injections so that...

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Annelotte Santing Those who have lost a loved one

Died of meningitis

Annelotte, 24 and Nicolette's second child, said she wasn't old at all...

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Sander Hendrix

Herpes simplex encephalitis & Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

The Day Everything Changed. On 12 September 2020, my brain suddenly didn't...

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Carlien Jansen

Meningitis & encephalitis

As a young girl, I always had one big dream, to give children in Africa injections so that...

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Annelotte Santing

Died of meningitis

Annelotte, 24 and Nicolette's second child, said she wasn't old at all...

Meningitis & Encephalitis

Meningitis & Encephalitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue itself. Both conditions are usually caused by viruses or bacteria and can have serious consequences. Bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and requires rapid treatment with antibiotics. Viral variants are often milder but can cause long-lasting symptoms.

10 - 15

number of people in the Netherlands affected by meningitis or encephalitis every day

3 - 4 million

number of people worldwide who develop meningitis or encephalitis every year

40%

of those affected by meningitis die from the disease or are left with lasting after-effects

Symptoms

Recognizing the first signs

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue. They are usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Bacterial meningitis is life threatening and requires rapid antibiotics. Viral forms are often milder but can still lead to long lasting symptoms.

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  • Fever
    Fever
  • Vomiting
    Vomiting
  • Headache
    Headache
  • Sleepiness
    Sleepiness
  • Neck stiffness
    Neck stiffness
  • Skin rash
    Skin rash
  • Sensitivity to light
    Sensitivity to light
  • Confusion
    Confusion
  • Seizures
    Seizures
A sense that something is not right

Alongside medical symptoms, an inner alarm signal can indicate that something is wrong, even if you cannot quite explain what it is. You know your child or partner best.

If something does not feel right, trust that feeling. Pay attention to changes in behavior, alertness, or condition, and contact a doctor or emergency care immediately if something seems wrong. Insist on a referral to hospital if you feel it is needed.

Research

Together for progress
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Global Care Gaps in Autoimmune Encephalitis

Global Care Gaps in Autoimmune Encephalitis (AIE) focuses on faster recognition, more effective treatment , and better support for patients during their recovery.
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Identifying new pathogenic antibodies that lead to autoimmune encephalitis

The research focuses on developing and applying advanced human stem cell–based models of the brainstem to identify novel pathogenic antibodies that lead to autoimmune encephalitis.
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Identifying new viral causes of encephalitis using VirScan technology

With VirScan, more than 1,000 viruses can be identified in serum from patients taken 6 weeks after infection, through the binding of antibodies to bacteriophages followed by DNA sequencing.
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Global Care Gaps in Autoimmune Encephalitis

With this goal in mind, this research perfectly fits the mission of the ItsME Foundation: to...

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Identifying new pathogenic antibodies that lead to autoimmune encephalitis

At the end of March 2026, the research will be completed. The research team has succeeded in a…

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Identifying new viral causes of encephalitis using VirScan technology

In one third of encephalitis patients with suspected infection, no causative agent is identified...

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Every minute counts in meningitis and encephalitis. With your donation, you support life saving research, better information, and support for those affected and their loved ones. Together, we help ensure faster recognition and better treatment.

News

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31 March 2026
Research project ‘Identifying new pathogenic antibodies leading to autoimmune encephalitis’ successfully completed

Team Human Tech, in collaboration with Erasmus MC and under the supervision of Dr Oliver Harschnitz, has created a new model of human brain cells from the cerebral cortex to better understand what happens in autoimmune encephalitis and to test antibodies from patients.

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1 March 2026
Registration for Run with ME now open

On 31 May 2026, students from Rotterdam, together with ItsME, organise the Run with ME. It is more than just a running event. It is about getting active together for people affected by encephalitis or meningitis.

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22 February 2026
World Encephalitis Day – 22 February 2026

A day to reflect on encephalitis

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31 March 2026
Research project ‘Identifying new pathogenic antibodies leading to autoimmune encephalitis’ successfully completed

A day to reflect on encephalitis

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1 March 2026
Registration for Run with ME now open

A day to reflect on encephalitis

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22 February 2026
World Encephalitis Day – 22 February 2026

A day to reflect on encephalitis