The National Meningitis Association, Inc. (NMA) is a national non-profit charity founded in July, 2002. The primary goal of NMA is to educate and increase awareness of meningococcal disease. The founding members were personally affected by the tragedy of meningococcal disease. NMA's mission is to educate families, medical professionals and others about bacterial meningitis and prevention approaches to the disease. In particular, NMA is focused on raising awareness and protection among adolescents and young adults, many of whom can be protected through education and vaccination efforts.