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​CMV Public Health & Policy Conference Roundup - Part Two

Last week saw the conclusion of the 2nd CMV Public Health & Policy Conference in Austin, Texas. As always, organizers sought to engage professionals and parents in the effort to reduce the number of babies born with congenital CMV through public awareness and advocacy efforts nationwide. 

CMV Public Health & Policy Conference Roundup - Part One

This week saw the conclusion of the 2nd CMV Public Health & Policy Conference in Austin, Texas. This conference’s goals were focused around presenting the latest in CMV prevention, diagnostic, and treatment research, while providing information to attendees about early intervention options and other family and professional support resources. 

How has congenital CMV impacted your life?

Author: Parent Perspective National CMV is helping to produce a display that will communicate the impact of congenital CMV, not just on children, but on their parents and families. We realize that countless families struggle to cope with a congenital CMV diagnosis in their child and will also, unfortunately, experience additional stress and difficulty both inside and outside of the family home. We would like to capture these thoughts and insights from those parents and family members who are willing to participate and to display them anonymously to help educate the public and professionals about the true impact of congenital CMV within the family and home. 

Share your CMV story with National CMV

Perhaps no one is able to give greater insight into living with congenital CMV than the parents of children and adults born with CMV. According to the CDC, each year 1 in 150 children is born with CMV and 1 in 750 will experience disability because of CMV. These high statistics reinforce CMV as a public health concern, but we need to show the world our thousands of children. We need to be the visual, vocal, visceral standard bearers of congenital CMV.

Share your photos and videos at the CMV Conference

​Want to show off your child and tell your story at this year’s CMV Public Health and Policy Conference? The National CMV Foundation is seeking photos of children affected by congenital CMV for display at the upcoming conference this September in Austin, Texas. Conference organizers are also requesting video submissions from parents discussing their experience with CMV and how it has affected their life. 

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. 

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.