State of Colorado Chief Medical Officer Will Read Governor’s Proclamation to Honor Victims of Last Year’s Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in Colorado
Angels Call for Vaccination of All At-Risk
LOVELAND, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The patient advocacy group Meningitis Angels will meet in Loveland to recognize World Meningitis Day on April 30, when they will host memorial events for the victims of last year’s Colorado meningitis outbreak and continue their effort to educate the public on preventative vaccines. The group will be joined by Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Dr. Chris Urbina, who will commence a memorial service by reading a proclamation from Colorado’s Governor John Hickenlooper. Meningitis Angels is an advocacy group committed to raising awareness about meningococcal disease, an often fatal condition that most commonly affects infants, young children and teenagers.
Meningitis Angels is planning events during National Infant Immunization week to commemorate victims of last year’s Colorado outbreak, educate the public on vaccine-preventable diseases and demonstrate support for both Governor Hickenlooper’s proclamation and the meningitis-focused Resolution #SJR11-053, which will be read into the Colorado Legislature on Friday, April 29. The events culminate on Saturday, April 30th with Sierra’s Race Against Meningitis, which the group co-hosts with Loveland resident Lisa Krizman, whose daughter Sierra died four years ago from meningitis. Meningitis Angels will then host a memorial service Saturday afternoon, dedicated to the victims of the state’s 2010 outbreak, followed immediately by a World Meningitis Day International Candle Lighting vigil.
Meningitis Angels will also use the day to help educate parents, health care professionals, teachers and the public about available vaccines that can prevent future deaths from meningococcal disease. This issue has never been timelier, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently made new vaccine recommendations for ‘tweens, teens and college freshmen. Several new vaccines which prevent infant meningococcal disease/meningitis have been developed and once they receive approval, the CDC will determine whether or not to recommend that all American infants be vaccinated. Meningitis Angels advocates that all who are at risk need to be vaccinated against this deadly disease.
“We just saw a new infant vaccine gain approval in April, which is a huge advancement for the prevention of meningococcal disease,” said Frankie Milley, Founder and National Executive Director of Meningitis Angels. “2011 is an especially important year for the meningitis community as several local legislatures—including the Colorado General Assembly—consider meningitis-related legislation. The deaths that occurred here last summer and continue to occur around the country were preventable. This year, we’re raising our voices to ensure that in the future, they’re prevented.”
To schedule interviews with Frankie Milley, or to interview a Meningitis Angel in your local area, please contact Frankie Miller at [email protected] /713.444.1074.
For information on Meningitis Angels, please visit http://meningitis-angels.com.
About Meningitis Angels
Meningitis Angels is a national nonprofit organization founded in memory of Ryan Wayne Milley, the only child of Bob and Frankie Milley. Ryan's life was taken at age 18, as a result of meningococcal meningitis/meningococcemia. Meningitis Angels is dedicated to the support of victims, of bacterial meningitis and their families. While helping families cope with the loss of a family member we also offer some hands on support for those children affected with meningitis, funding available.
We educate the public, health professionals, schools and universities on not only meningitis but other vaccine preventable diseases and the preventions including vaccines, though personal stories, our educational brochures and videos.
CONTACT:
Meningitis Angels
Frankie Milley, 713.444.1074
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Colorado
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Infectious Diseases Baby/Maternity Children Consumer General Health
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