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Blog

Board Member Spotlight: Zack Rigoni

Author: Zachary Rigoni Meet Zack Rigoni. Zack is an investment banker in NYC focused on upstream oil & gas companies, and he brings dynamic energy and a new perspective to the pursuit of achieving cCMV awareness in the United States. Zack is most happy when spending time with his family, including two young children. 

Football Fundraising Ideas

Fundraising tips and ideas just in time for football season!

Board Member Spotlight: John Spytek

Author: John Spytek Meet John Spytek. John co-founded the National CMV Foundation in July 2014, with his wife, on behalf of their daughter, Evelyn Grace. This issue is deeply personal for him and he brings a real sense of tenacity to the group, stemming from his experience in professional sports. 

The Birth Deck: Q&A with Sara Lyon

Author: Kristen Spytek & Sara Lyon It’s OK to feel contradictory emotions simultaneously. Life is dualistic, it is dark and light at once, it is pain and beauty in the same instant. Having gratitude and anger in the same breath is normal and honoring that reality is extraordinary. When we encounter great challenges and allow ourselves to feel everything without judgement or resistance, we can thrive in the aftermath. 

The Ohio CMV Advocacy Project

In May, National CMV awarded the public health awareness mini grant pilot to The Ohio CMV Advocacy Project. We’d like to share their experience in hopes of inspiring others to begin advocating for CMV awareness, on behalf of and in partnership with National CMV, in their state.

Team Member Spotlight: Kristel Jacobson

Author: Kristel Jacobson Meet Kristel Jacobson. Kristel joined the National CMV team as Manager of Special Events in March 2018, and boy are we lucky to have her! Kristel's background and expertise in the non-profit space will help catapult our organization to better compete with other well-known, national, health-related groups!

Board Member Spotlight: Alyson Ward

Author: Alyson Ward Meet Alyson Ward. Alyson has served on National CMV's board since early 2016. She brings extensive experience and expertise in public health education and policy to our group, as well as a tenacity for community engagement through both her personal and professional endeavors.

Know About CMV

June is CMV Awareness Month, when the CMV community both in the U.S. and abroad comes together virtually to raise awareness about congenital CMV. Read more to learn how you can advocate for CMV awareness this June.

Dancing With Shards of Glass

Author: Andrea Stambaugh A few weeks ago we went to The Kids Equipment Network to pick up an adaptive stroller/wheelchair for Axel. 

I have been fighting to get Axel a wheelchair for months. I had prepared myself in my mind. I was so excited for getting out of the house to be simpler. We talked about it the entire drive. Once we got there, they wanted us to put Axel into the wheelchair so they could fit it appropriately. I set him in the perfectly supportive bright green chair and I strapped him in. He looked up at me with a big smile, the way he always does. I smiled back. But, then it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. I just strapped my child into a wheelchair, for the first time. And I lost it.

The Baby After the CMV Baby

Author: Megan Nix My husband and I always knew we wanted a third child, even after our second daughter, Anna, was born with congenital CMV. Even though Anna’s needs (deafness and motor delays) require more time spent in therapies and doctors’ offices than we ever expected, Luke and I both came from bigger families, we wanted to gift our daughters with another sibling, and, I have to admit, I wanted another chance at a typical experience of pregnancy and motherhood.

Thank You Wristband Buddy

As part of our fundraising and community outreach efforts, we are pleased to mention that WristbandBuddy has offered us 200 free silver bands to spread awareness about our cause. Thank you WristbandBuddy for your contribution and support.