Mon 14 July Filming Opp - Survivor returns to the pool with Olympian/Paralympian to raise awareness of meningococcal disease ahead of winter peak

GSK

A compelling photo and filming opportunity to mark the start of peak meningococcal season.

Meningococcal survivors - Paralympian swimmer Jay Dohnt and NSW apprentice Jacob Blackwell (23), will team up with Olympic hero Libby Trickett, health organisations and medical experts, to place a spotlight on meningococcal disease – alerting parents and young adults to the early symptoms as infections are set to climb with peak season arriving.

Meningococcal disease is a potentially devastating bacterial infection which can progress rapidly, with some people becoming critically ill within 24 hours.

To date this year, there have been 56 cases reported nationally. NSW leads with 18 cases. Young children (0–4) and adolescents (15–19) are the highest-risk groups

WHEN:

📅 Monday July 14^th, 2025 | 🕘 10am – 11am

WHERE:

UNSW Indoor Swimming Pool - High Street, Kensington, NSW 2052

Entry via High St, Gate 2 (map at end)

INTERVIEWEES:

Jacob Blackwell meningococcal survivor and his mum Chelsea
Jay Dohnt, Paralympian swimmer and meningococcal survivor
Libby Trickett, Olympic swimming legend
Karen Quick, CEO of Meningitis Centre Australia
Dr Sam Hay, GP

New research highlights low awareness*:

Research conducted in May found nearly half (48%) of young adults (18–24) couldn’t name a single symptom of meningococcal disease.
One in four parents of children aged 0–4 were also unable to name a symptom.

VISION OPPORTUNITIES:

23-year-old meningococcal survivor Jacob Blackwell returning to the water for a milestone rehabilitation swim
In-pool coaching and support from Paralympian Jay Dohnt, a double amputee and fellow meningococcal survivor

Their warning comes as cases of meningococcal infection continue to rise, particularly in NSW and QLD. This event will shine a spotlight on this disease, which can strike without warning - especially among children and young adults during the winter peak.

[Media release will be issued Monday 14th to coincide with opportunity]

i NNDSS reported cases of IMD, 04 July 2025 https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/

ii Department of Health and Aged Care. Communicable Diseases Intelligence. 2023 Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report, Volume 48, 2024

Contact details:

Bonnie Leibel, 0437 819 965, [email protected] OR Anne-Marie Sparrow, 0417 421 560