Knowing about group B Strep when you’re pregnant or in the early weeks after birth can make a massive difference – most group B Strep infections in newborn babies can be prevented, and early treatment can and does save lives. So often, many families only hear about group B Strep AFTER their baby is seriously ill with it. This simply cannot keep happening.
Our Group B Strep Awareness Month focuses on empowering new and expectant parents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their baby, ensuring those who have been affected by a GBS infection know about us, and engaging with healthcare professionals to improve education and awareness.
By supporting our awareness month, together we can magnify our voice, so that we can drive change, demand policy improvements, and ultimately save lives. One baby sick with avoidable group B Strep infection is too many. No family should suffer the loss of their baby due to lack of awareness.
How can I get involved?
Our aim during July is to get as many people as possible involved in raising awareness, showing their support and donating so that we can make change happen in group B Strep education and prevention.
You can make sure more families hear about group B Strep, so they can take action to protect their newborn baby.
Take a look below at the different ways you can join us this July.
Improve awareness
We want to reach out to as many new and expectant parents as possible and get them talking to their health professionals about group B Strep. Will you help us? Please like and share our videos and posts that you see on our social media channels throughout July, using the hashtag #GBSaware.
You can also order an Awareness Pack to raise awareness with posters and leaflets through this form.
Share your story
I tested positive for GBS at 32 weeks pregnant. I had no knowledge at all about GBS until I found this page. I spoke with someone who gave me all of the information I could possibly have needed. I didn’t know I was in labour initially, but after my contractions got very close together I made my way to the hospital where I was told I’d already got to 5cm dilated. I was terrified I wouldn’t have time for antibiotics but managed to get one dose in. My little boy arrived quickly after I arrived and passed all newborn health checks with no further input needed. I cannot thank your team enough for the reassurance and knowledge that was passed on to me during my pregnancy. You made my birthing experience much more relaxed as I was informed and able to make decisions based on the potential risks that GBS has.
Laura Jane
Laura Jane is just one of the many families we support every day and you can read more stories here.
If you or someone you love has been affected by group B Strep and want to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. Telling your stories of how group B Strep has affected you is hugely powerful and highlights why awareness is so important. We hope you will share your stories and experiences with us this July. The more people that know about group B Strep, the better!
Donate
We don’t receive any government funding so, without the support of people like you, we couldn’t do what we do.
This July will you help us raise as much as possible, so that we can continue to improve awareness, drive change, support affected families, and advocate for improved testing and prevention.
No matter how big or small, you will make a real difference to babies’ lives.
Donate now
Working to stop GBS infections in babies.
Fundraise for us
July is the perfect time to get social, enjoy the outdoors and support GBSS.
It will be our annual Big GBSS Bake Sale, where we invite you to host a bake sale and ask friends, family and/or coworkers to enjoy a slice of cake in exchange for a donation.
We are also running our new 100k My Way challenge, which is the perfect way to show your support by swimming, running, cycling or walking – or even a bit of everything – your way through July, covering approximately 3km a day. What’s great is it’s perfect for the whole family to join too!
Got a question?
If you have any questions, please contact the team on 0330 120 0795 or email admin@gbss.org.uk
