Meningitis and encephalitis have a huge impact on patients, their families, and on society. We all carry many bacteria and viruses with us. We need to understand how it is possible that one person stays healthy, another becomes seriously ill but recovers, and yet another dies. Knowledge about the causative bacteria and viruses, the patient with meningitis or encephalitis, and, as the most complex part, the interaction between the pathogen and the patient, is essential for preventing and curing meningitis and encephalitis.

Meningitis and encephalitis have a huge impact on patients, their families, and on society. We all carry many bacteria and viruses with us. We need to understand how it is possible that one person stays healthy, another becomes seriously ill but recovers, and yet another dies. Knowledge about the causative bacteria and viruses, the patient with meningitis or encephalitis, and, as the most complex part, the interaction between the pathogen and the patient, is essential for preventing and curing meningitis and encephalitis.

In 2017, my nephew and godson, Jur Deitmers, faced death at the age of 21, after unexpectedly contracting viral encephalitis. Thanks to the unprecedented decisiveness of American and Dutch specialists, including neurologists and virologists, as well as the extreme dedication of his parents and family, he was able to survive the virus. This would never have been successful if actions hadn't been taken outside of protocols. This is a huge motivation for me to commit myself to ItsME.

My husband, Bart Verdegaal, passed away in early 2003 at the age of 39 from complications of meningitis, when our twins were 15 months old. This was against all expectations from the academic hospital where he was being treated, not because mistakes were made, but because there are simply too many uncertainties in its treatment. This is a huge motivation for me to dedicate myself to ItsME.

I am firmly convinced that the current protocols are insufficient for the healing of Meningitis and Encephalitis. The money that the ItsME Foundation raises will be spent on specific research to ensure that patients, just like Jur Deitmers, can survive this disease. This is a huge motivation for me to commit myself to ItsME.

Meningitis and encephalitis can be devastating and debilitating diseases. We need to have a better understanding of how and why there are varied outcomes amongst our population. I believe there is more we can do beyond the current standard of care to provide better outcomes. With the help of ItsMe we can develop more diverse treatment options for those affected. I am extremely proud of Jur and all he is doing to bring attention to a very worthy cause.

Infections of the central nervous system pose potentially catastrophic debility to those affected because of the general lack of redundancy in the function of neurons. For example, despite the availability of the antiviral drug acyclovir, patients with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) still encounter tremendous morbidity and mortality, with almost a third suffering permanent brain damage or death. Scientific data exists which points towards better therapies, but the translation of this knowledge to the clinic lags far behind. With the efforts by ItsMe, we hope that the Truth will find an easier path to the way patients with HSE and other serious viral infections are treated. Jur is an example of what can happen when this path is realised.

When I was a two-year-old toddler, I suddenly developed a high fever and then strange spots on my skin. I was rushed to the hospital and my parents were told at the time that there was little chance I would survive the night. My first memory dates back to then. I remember lying alone in a dark room and it was very quiet with occasional people in white coats. Not fearful, but a serene calm. Later, my parents told me I had had meningitis, the so-called blood variant. It was only at a later age that I understood the seriousness of the illness, the luck I had at the time (late sixties), and you are grateful that you can live in good health!