Stronger Together: Reflecting on CMV Awareness Month 2025
Author: Megan Pesch, MD
As the summer days fly by, I want to take a moment to reflect on an inspiring and impactful CMV Awareness Month. Each year, June offers us the opportunity to amplify the voices of those impacted by congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), elevate awareness across communities, and deepen our commitment to ending the devastating effects of this common yet underrecognized virus. This year’s theme—Stronger Together—could not have been more fitting.
Throughout the month, our CMV Community Alliance Chairs led an extraordinary charge, hosting dozens events across the country. From family walks and educational panels to community gatherings and social media campaigns, these grassroots efforts made waves in local communities and online spaces alike. A standout event was the 1919 Golf Tournament in Arkansas, a beautiful day of camaraderie, remembrance, and purpose—all while raising critical awareness and support for our mission. Every year our Strides 4 CMV 5k is a signature event many individuals spend months planning for – this year was our best year to date, raising over $40,000, and more importantly spreading the word about congenital CMV. To every volunteer, supporter, and organizer: thank you. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this movement.
It has taken several weeks to calculate the final total of our fundraising efforts as donations have continued to come in – in total we raised over $70,000, blowing our fundraising target out of the water.
We also celebrate our global partnerships with sister organizations like CMV Action UK and CMV Canada, who share in our mission to protect families and improve outcomes around the world. Our work is stronger and more informed when we collaborate across borders, share resources, and align in our advocacy. Together, we’re raising the global profile of CMV and driving change that transcends geography.
A special thanks goes to the audiologists, pediatricians, allied health professionals, infectious disease specialists, and researchers who continue to push the boundaries of what we know about CMV. Whether through groundbreaking studies, compassionate care, or tireless advocacy in hospitals and academic centers, these professionals are our indispensable partners. They are the bridge between science and real-world impact for families affected by cCMV.
We are also proud to partner with leaders in industry and innovation, including those developing more accurate and accessible platforms for CMV detection in newborns and pregnant individuals. We stand with those working to advance treatments for congenital CMV, and we cheer on the incredible teams pioneering the development of a CMV vaccine—a game-changing intervention that could prevent so much heartbreak.
CMV Awareness Month may only come once a year, but our collective impact lasts well beyond June. As we look ahead, we carry this momentum forward—united across communities, disciplines, and borders. Because in this fight, we are truly stronger together.
Posted: 8/4/2025
Category: Advocacy, Awareness, Community, "Fueling Our Mission"