Blog

Attorney and advocate, Sara Beth Myers, discusses Tennessee's CMV legislation

Tennessee recently became the sixth state in the nation to pass CMV legislation in its second year after introduction. Tennessee Senate Bill 2097/House Bill 2397 received unanimous supporting votes in both the House and the Senate and faced no opposition from outside groups in its second year. But how? And why? We spoke with Sara Beth Myers, attorney and founding President of AWAKE - Advocates for Women's And Kids' Equality, who spearheaded the Tennessee effort to learn more about the process and their unique approach to this year’s successful legislation. 

2016 CMV Public Health & Policy Conference

Come join the National CMV Foundation at the second CMV Public Health & Policy Conference on September 26th and 27th in Austin, Texas as we present the latest research on diagnosis and treatment of CMV, delineate prevention efforts, provide information about early intervention options, and disseminate family support resources. 

The Real Story of Congenital CMV

Imagine giving birth to a baby and finding out that your baby was exposed to a dangerous virus during your pregnancy. This virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), could have a questionable impact on your child's development and prognosis and you have no outlook as to what your child's life and medical situation would be. 

CALL TO ACTION - Senate Appropriations Subcommittee discussion of CMV

On Thursday February 11th, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the United State Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing entitled "Emerging Health Threats and the Zika Supplemental Funding Request". Testifying at this hearing will be Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). 
 

​This week: Tennessee committee hearings for CMV bill

Recently introduced CMV legislation in the state of Tennessee is going to be discussed in two state committee hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. We need your help! We are asking that all Tennessee families and supporters please make the following phone calls this week to support this committee process and to help this CMV awareness bill advance in the statehouse.

Help support Iowa CMV legislation

We are excited to announce the introduction of CMV legislation in the state of Iowa and are asking for residents of Iowa to please help us with this effort. The CMV Education and Screening Bill was inspired by Pippa Devereaux, who was born with congenital CMV, and is being supported by her mother, Amanda, from Des Moines. We ask that parents, professionals, and supporters take the time to email each of the members of the Human Resources Committee and state your support for this CMV Education and Screening Bill that is currently in the Human Resources Committee. 

The Brendan B. McGinnis Fund at the National CMV Foundation

The National CMV Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Brendan B. McGinnis Fund, made possible by a nearly $20,000 donation from the former Brendan B. McGinnis Congenital CMV Foundation. The fund will help to sponsor family scholarships and a family gathering at the CMV Public Health and Policy Conference in Austin, Texas on September 26^th and 27^th. The National CMV Foundation also hopes to continue the tradition of an award for researchers dedicated to advancing CMV vaccine development.Donors interested in supporting the Brendan B. McGinnis fund can make their donation “in honor of” Brendan B. McGinnis at: https://www.nationalcmv.org/get-involved/donate.aspx.

Meet the Founders: Annie Culley

Author: Annie Culley I started having symptoms around Valentine’s Day 2012. I had periodical episodes of blindness and eye flashes. I consulted with my Optometrist and he thought that I was maybe having blood clots caused by the birth control I was on. So off I went to my reproductive specialist. He pulled me off of the pills until I was able to finish all of the tests to determine what was wrong. I got progressively more and more sick. My blood pressure went through the roof; I had numbness and tingling in my limbs, horrible headaches, muscle twitches, shortness of breath, aches and just felt totally miserable.

Meet the Founders: Abigail Wright

Author: Abigail Wright In 2009, I was a newlywed on the way to taking the next big step in life: parenthood. We were totally ready and anxious to start our family. My biological clock was ticking and I read every article that I came across about preparing for pregnancy. I cut out caffeine, took prenatal vitamins and followed all of the other miscellaneous “advice” about gearing up for pregnancy.

Meet the Founders: Sara Doutre

Author: Sara Doutre In July 2010, we found out we were expecting our second baby. Because of a liver complication and an unscheduled c-section with our son Liam in 2009, I sought out a specialist in high-risk pregnancies. In order to receive the best possible care, I drove an hour each way to all of my prenatal visits to be seen at the maternal fetal diagnostic center at the University of Utah. I have a type A personality and was very proactive during my pregnancy. I took the recommended amounts of folic acid to prevent spina bifida. I participated in the recommended screenings for other markers of birth defects. I read every pamphlet provided to me by the doctors office.