Para-athlete and GSK spokesperson Jamie Schanbaum understands struggle.
She knows what it’s like to train for the Paralympic Games and channel her pain into perserverance—winning a gold medal at the U.S. Paralympic cycling games. Years before her games, Jamie went through another battle— fighting for her life after contracting meningococcal disease, also known as meningitis.

Jamie was a college sophomore when, in 24 hours, she went from feeling completely healthy to feeling like she had the flu, to being rushed to the emergency room where she found out she had contracted meningitis. Jamie spent seven months in the hospital, ultimately losing both of her legs below the knees, and all of her fingers due to the disease. Although uncommon, meningitis can be a serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications, or even death.[i] Jamie’s athletic fortitude was born out of her fight against meningitis.
Jamie is sharing her story as an advocate for GSK’s public health campaign, “Ask2Bsure” to educate and empower parents of teens and young adults ages 16-23 to start the conversation with their child’s doctor and “Ask2Bsure” they have received vaccination for meningitis B. There are two different types of vaccinations that can help protect against the 5 vaccine-preventable groups of meningitis, and while many colleges require meningitis ACWY vaccination, meningitis B vaccination has only been available since 2014, and most colleges still do not require it.[ii],[iii]

ASK2BSURE.COM

DID YOU KNOW?
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a meningitis B vaccination series for teens and young adults ages 16-23 years (preferred age 16-18 years) on the basis of shared clinical decision making- to help protect against meningitis B.[iv] • Meningitis is an uncommon, but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications, or even death.1 Early symptoms of meningitis may be similar to those of the flu, but can progress quickly and can be fatal.[v],[vi] • Up to 1 in 5 meningitis survivors suffer long-term consequences, such as brain damage, amputations, hearing loss and nervous system problems.[vii] Among those who contract meningitis, 1 in 10 will die, despite treatment, sometimes in as little as 24 hours.2
• Teens and young adults are at an increased risk for contracting meningitis because it can spread through certain common behaviors such as living in close quarters like college dorms, kissing, and sharing drinks or utensils.1
• From 2011 through March 2019, meningitis B caused all US college meningococcal outbreaks, which involved 13 campuses, 50 cases, and 2 deaths among an at-risk population of approximately 253,000 students.[viii] Although vaccination may not protect all recipients, it is the best way to help prevent meningitis B according to CDC.[ix]

She’ll be join by Dr. Iriny Mary Salib, Pharm D (doctorate in Pharmacy), medical science liaison at GSK.
Interview courtesy: GSK

#para-athlete #cyclist #battle #health #jamie #schanbaum #gave #mission #education #meningitis #vaccination #para #athlete #paralympic #disease #ask2bsure #iriny #mary #salib #gsk

The post PARA-ATHLETE CYCLIST SHARES HOW SHE FOUND HERSELF BATTLING FOR HER LIFE appeared first on Good News!.

Reverend Paul Sladkus and Good News and Peace Team 4/18/2021.

http://goodnewsplanet.com/51976-2/
http://goodnewsplanet.com/the-10th-annual-national-meningitis-association-gala-celebration/

From Errol- His legacy will live on… Every college student is required to have a Meningitis vaccination, before entering…
Every parent knowingly, can feel secure and relieved that their children are safe, and protected from this devastating disease…
RIP

https://t2conline.com/new-york-rangers-honor-nick-springer/

Suzanna Bowling

https://t2conline.com/two-time-paralympic-medalist-nick-springer-has-gone-to-play-with-the-angels/

Nick Springer – http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-paralympian-nick-springer-sports-saved-my-life/⁷

Errol Rappaport, Co-Chair
Past Recipient of the “Nancy Ford Springer Award”
NMA Gala June 11, 2018
310-780-1170 – errolink@gmail.com
www.nmaus.org

Nick Springer – http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-paralympian-nick-springer-sports-saved-my-life/

When I think of the Soul
of a Child that has Died
I Picture a Butterfly
so Beautiful and Brave
I ask Myself
Is this a Child I could have Saved?

Music and Lyrics written for NMA by Paul Hampton

The post Nick Springer – Nick was an Inspiration, a Leader, A Hero, A gold medalist, A Son, a Brother, an Uncle, A Friend, RIP our Angel. Update- Compiled by Errol Rappaport appeared first on Good News!.

HEAR HOW ONE COLLEGE STUDENT’S LIFE CHANGED FOREVER AFTER NEARLY DYING FROM A VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASE

Dr. Len Friedland, practicing physician, vaccine researcher and Vice President and Director, Scientific Affairs and Public Health, Vaccines, GSK

Jamie Schanbaum, meningitis survivor, US Para-athlete and GSK spokesperson

BACKGROUND
It’s that time of the school year where teens and young adults are counting down the days to the holidays and a much-needed break from classes. In 2008, Jamie was a college freshman getting ready to complete her first semester and head home for the holidays when her life changed forever. In just 24 hours, she went from being a healthy college student to fighting for her life after contracting meningococcal disease, also known as meningitis. Jamie spent seven months in the hospital, ultimately losing both of her legs below the knees, and all of her fingers due to the disease. While many colleges require MenACWY vaccination, MenB vaccination has only been available since 2014, and most colleges still do not require it. She is sharing her story to ensure that parents are aware there are 2 different types of vaccines to help prevent meningitis – one for MenACWY, and one for MenB, , to help other families avoid her experience. During the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for parents to educate themselves and utilize the vaccines available to help protect their kids against vaccine-preventable diseases they may be at risk for, like meningitis.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Meningitis is an uncommon, but serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications, or even death. Early symptoms of meningitis may be similar to those of the flu, but can progress quickly and can be fatal, sometimes within 24 hours. ,
• Up to 1 in 5 meningitis survivors suffer long-term consequences, such as brain damage, amputations, hearing loss and nervous system problems. Among those who contract meningitis, 1 in 10 will die, despite treatment, sometimes in as little as 24 hours.7
• Teens and young adults are at an increased risk for contracting meningitis because it can spread through certain common behaviors such as living in close quarters like college dorms, kissing, and sharing drinks, utensils, or smoking devices.4,
• From 2011 through March 2019, meningitis B (MenB) caused all US college meningococcal outbreaks, which involved 13 campuses, 50 cases, and 2 deaths among an at-risk population of approximately 253,000 students.

VACCINATION IS STILL IMPORTANT
• Even if your college-aged children are not attending in-person classes due to COVID-19 precautions, they may still be at risk for diseases like MenB.4
• Your teen or young adult may have received MenACWY vaccination when they were younger, but most have not yet received MenB vaccination, which only became available in 2014. Recent CDC data show that still, only about 1 in 5 17-year-olds in the US received at least one dose of MenB vaccination in 2019.12
• Winter break is a good time to schedule a wellness visit and talk to your child’s doctor about the two different types of vaccines to help prevent meningococcal disease – one for MenACWY and one for MenB.2,3

Interview opportunities are courtesy of GSK

Visit www.meningitisB.com for more information and resources to bring to your child’s next wellness visit.

#jamie #schanbaum #meningitis #survivor #para #athlete #gsk #spokesperson #len #friedland #physician #vaccine #researcher #scientific #affairs #public #health #holidays #college #students #life #change #disease #meningococcal #body #legs #knees #fingers #risk #prevent #flu

The post HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: WHAT PARENTS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW appeared first on Good News!.

Please send this to some of you mailing list friends.

Help save lives…

CHAIRS
Lenore Cooney
Sara Herbert-Galloway
Errol Rappaport
Gary Springer

HONORARY CHAIRS
Ambassador and Mrs. John L. Loeb, Jr.
Heather Randall
Liv Ullmann and Donald Saunders
Nick Springer

HONORARY COMMITTEE
Iris Apfel
Michael Badalucco
Susan and Hon. James A. Baker III
Deion Branch
Steve Buscemi
Victor Calise
Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office
for People with Disabilities
U.S. Senator Susan Collins
Darius de Haas
Roque de la Fuente
Jamie de Roy
Judy and Rod Gilbert
Adam Graves
Lynn Grossman and Bob Balaban
State Senator Jack Hart, Ret.
Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy
Helen and Michael Kaplan
Lainie Kazan
Amy Madigan and Ed Harris
Michael H. Michaud
Assistant Secretary,
U.S. Department of Labor
James Naughton
Kyle Rudy
Susan Sarandon
Richard Thomas

BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Jeri Acosta
Chuck Armstrong
Tomaczek Bednarek
Lynn and Alan Bozof
Joyce Brooks
Lori and Curt Buher
Lorraine Cancro-Silvetz and
Robert Silvetz, MD
Elizabeth Cier
Rita Cosby
Mark Evangelista
Nicole and Jeff Fratarcangeli
Jeri Brooks Greenwell
Jonathan Hadaya
Paul Hampton
Laurie and Ken Hartwig
Charlotte and Harvey Hodges
Lucia Hwong-Gordon
Susan James
Marcie L. Kammel
Barry J. Klarberg
Marian Koltai-Levine and Dan Levine
Donna and Michael LaForgia
Lucy Jane Lang
Barbara Ligeti and Jeffrey Altshuler
Kelly and Paul Lountzis
Annie Ma
Leslie Maier

Cindy Marinangel
Kevin McGovern
Sherri Michelstein
Esther Muller
Rey Olsen
Susan and Peter Purdy
Joe Sirola
Jennifer and Ricky Sitomer
Gary Swanson
Joe Trentacosta

ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE
Samantha Bennett
Anna and Carl Buher
Alana Galloway
Justin Galloway
Gunjan Goel
Allie and Matt Klarberg
Kate and Jake Klarberg
Nikki Klarberg
Ryan Klarberg
Sorcha McCrohan
Dell Miller
Andrew Molen
Jorel Roth
Brooke and Lee Scharfstein
Gary Schneider
Jason Werner

MEDICAL COMMITTEE

Richard Besser, MD
President and CEO
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Paul J. Lee, MD
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center
South Nassau Communities Hospital

Paul A. Offit, MD
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

William Schaffner, MD
Department of Preventive Medicine
Vanderbilt University

Steven E. Schutzer, MD
Professor of Medicine
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Nancy Snyderman, MD
Professor of Global Health
Stanford University

James C. Turner, MD
National Social Norms Institute
University of Virginia

Roger W. Yurt, MD
NY Presbyterian Hospital
Weill Cornell Medical Center

As of April 1, 2018
National Meningitis Association

NMA works to protect families from the devastating effects of meningococcal disease by educating the public, medical professionals and others about the disease and vaccines available to prevent it. NMA was formed in 2002 by parents whose children died or live with permanent disabilities from meningococcal disease. Like many families, NMA’s founders were unaware that meningococcal disease vaccination could have prevented their anguish. Since NMA was founded, great strides have been made in meningitis prevention. NMA has supported the creation of broad recommendations for meningococcal vaccines to protect all preteens and teens, worked to advocate for state vaccination requirements, and helped increase awareness and vaccine uptake. The organization also provides emotional support for individuals and families who have experienced meningococcal disease.

To accomplish its goals, NMA develops programs and resources that reach audiences on national and grassroots levels. Parents, disease survivors and other family members help carry out NMA’s mission by conducting community awareness activities across the country through two key programs: Moms on Meningitis (M.O.M.s) and Together Educating About Meningitis (T.E.A.M.). For disease and prevention information, downloadable resources and personal stories from M.O.M.s and T.E.A.M. members, please visit nmaus.org.

Lynn Bozof, President • Lori Buher, Director • Leslie Maier, Secretary/Treasurer

For more information or to purchase tickets,
please contact Heather Prochorchik 212.874.5457
or HeatherProchorchik@BellEvents.com

The post The 10th Annual National Meningitis Association Gala Celebration appeared first on Good News!.

The National Meningitis Association (NMA) is a nonprofit organization founded by parents whose children have died or live with permanent disabilities from meningococcal disease. http://www.nmaus.org/
Our mission is to educate families, medical professionals and others about meningococcal disease and its prevention.

Learn about the two vaccines that can help prevent meningitis…
· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends meningococcal vaccination against serogroups A, C, W and Y for all children at 11-12 with a booster at age 16.
· CDC recommends permissive use of meningococcal vaccination against serogroup B at ages 16-23, with a preferred age of 16 to 18 years. Click here for more information.

THE NATIONAL MENINGITIS ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL “GIVE KIDS A SHOT!” GALA CELEBRATION

2017 CO-CHAIRS, LENORE COONEY, SARA HERBERT-GALLOWAY, ERROL RAPPAPORT AND GARY SPRINGER
INVITE YOU TO A
KICK-OFF COCKTAIL PARTY
with special guests Judy and Rod Gilbert

MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017
5:00pm – 7:00pm
REMARKS 6:00PM

LOVAGE ROOFTOP LOUNGE at MAGNOLIA RESTAURANT
350 WEST 40th Street at Ninth Avenue
NEW YORK CITY

Cocktail Attire

RSVP to Heather Prochorchik at 212.874.5457 or heatherprochorchik@bellevents.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

At the Gala on Monday, May 8, 2017, NMA will honor New York Ranger hockey legend Rod Gilbert with The Nancy Ford Springer Inspiration Award; Dr. Amy Middleman, Professor of Pediatrics at Oklahoma University, will be recognized with the Health Achievement Award; Francesca Testa and Kayla St. Pierre, NMA advocates and meningococcal disease survivors, will be celebrated with T.E.A.M. Outstanding Service Awards; and The Spirit of NMA Award will pay tribute to the McKenzie Meningitis Foundation.

The post The National Meningitis Association (NMA) is a nonprofit organization founded by parents whose children have died or live with permanent disabilities from meningococcal disease. appeared first on Good News!.

Meningitis greatly affects young people who don’t get a shot, please tell your friends!    Sara represents our youth and was honored to share her talents at the benefit.  The audience came to their feet with her singing and presence of  this 14 year.  http://sarastevensmusic.com/site/biography/

Sara has the kind of voice you hear once in a lifetime. Crystal-pure in tone, soaring from warm lows to shiver-inducing highs, it combines natural sweetness with conviction and power.That voice alone is enough to make Sara a remarkable artist.  What’s even more amazing is that she is 14 years old.Sara is one of those undeniable talents who can make the most skeptical music professional sit up and take notice. “Most of the time, when people say, ‘I want you to hear this really talented 12 year-old, you go, ‘yeah, right,’” says composer/producer Paul Schwartz, conductor of Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera. “But I’ve never worked with anyone like Sara. Her voice would be surprising coming out of anybody. It’s one of those sounds that make the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up. She’s just fantastically musical naturally.”

Whether she’s singing an operatic aria, a musical theater standard or a tune she helped to write, Sara’s ability to embody the soul of a song is a rare gift. More than just displaying technical excellence, she brings a deep emotional commitment to her music. You can’t help but be a little in awe of what she does.

Growing up in Marietta, Georgia, Sara’s abilities were evident at a very early age. “I remember driving down the road with Sara in the backseat when she was three or four years old,” says her mother Connie. “It was Christmastime and we’d play Celine Dion singing ‘O Holy Night.’ After hearing it a few times, Sara starting singing along and was able to hit the high notes like Celine did. It was one of those little moments that made us think she had a special gift.”

Sara’s parents encouraged her love of music by taking her to a performance of La Boheme at the Met at age six and starting her on private vocal lessons three years later. Around this time, she began singing and playing piano at holiday recitals hosted by her aunt. Classical music held a special attraction for her: “I loved the sound of it, and still do. I kept thinking, ‘this is so beautiful – maybe I can sing this music professionally one day.’ It just clicked for me.”

A turning point came when Sara successfully auditioned for the AMTC competition in November 2011. Resisting suggestions that she perform a pop number, she sang the aria “Pie Jesu” for an audience of agents, managers and casting directors at the 2012 AMTC finale event in Orlando, Florida, earning a standing ovation and top honors for her age group. That same year, she entered and won first place in the American Protégé International Music Competition, receiving the chance to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall. (While in New York for the event, she also gave an impromptu performance at Carnegie Deli, wowing the lunchtime crowds.) A featured appearance at a Park Avenue fundraiser for Daniel’s Music Foundation earned her further cheers and praise.

Amidst all this excitement and acclaim, Sara was coping with bullying incidents at school. She channeled these painful experiences into “Dance in This Dream,” a hope-filled song written (with her input) by John Roberts, Atlanta-based composer/CEO of Soundbyte. The tune and accompanying video gave an indication of Sara’s ability to deliver original material as convincingly as a classical number.

Sara came to the attention of Naomi Julia (editor of the website Entertainment Industry Insider), who was floored when she saw the “Dance in This Dream” video. Julia then approached all of her major contacts in the industry. It wasn’t long before she set up an appointment for Sara with the president of a highly regarded artists’ consulting firm, which led to an in person meeting and audition.  This was the start of many big doors opening for Sara which led her to renowned cellist/pianist composer David Eggar, who went on to record an eight-song demo with her.

A violinist on the Eggar sessions invited Sara and her parents to attend a Broadway performance of The Phantom of the Opera in December 2012. Invited backstage, Sara seized the chance to meet – and sing for – musical director Paul Schwartz, who was “completely blown away” by what he heard. Schwartz invited Sara to lunch the following day and agreed to work with her in the studio.

2013 has seen Sara recording a variety of material with Schwartz, including arias, an Irish folk song and original compositions specially crafted for her voice. Among the latter are “Promise” (co-written by Sara with Schwartz and lyricist Lisbeth Scott) and “A Life That’s Made of Dreams” (an inspiring tune with the makings of a personal anthem). Peter Cobbin, senior engineer at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, is mixing the tracks. “Sara is great to work with,” Schwartz says. “She’s personable, doesn’t get flustered and picks up things really fast. Together, I think we’re developing a sound that’s unlike anybody else’s.”

At 12, Sara can begin to see the outlines of a great career before her. She’s confident as her journey unfolds: “When I get on stage, I have butterflies, but I’m not scared. I love to perform, I love recording – I want to do it all. I’m committed to this.”

There’s time enough for Sara Stevens to realize all of her dreams. One thing’s for sure – the voice that has carried her to Carnegie Hall and beyond is just beginning to reach its full potential. What happens next will be truly extraordinary to hear.

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National Meningitis Association Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

Mothers Who Have Lost Children to Meningitis Continue Efforts and
Urge Parents to Get Their Kids Vaccinated

For 26 days, Lynn Bozof sat helplessly by her son Evan’s side while a bacterial infection called meningococcal disease took his life. Evan was a college athlete who planned to become a doctor. Lynn had never heard of meningococcal disease and was shocked to learn that a vaccine might have prevented Evan’s death.

She recalls thinking that the only thing worse than losing a child was learning that Evan’s death was unnecessary. She met other parents whose children had died or lived with permanent disabilities from meningococcal disease. Together they formed the National Meningitis Association (NMA) with the hopes that other families could avoid the devastation they experienced.

This year, marks NMA’s 10-year anniversary. When NMA was founded:

• There was little public knowledge about meningococcal disease.

• Recommendations for adolescent meningococcal vaccination were not in place.

• No organized support structure existed for families affected by meningococcal disease.

Much has changed in 10 years:

• Vaccination is recommended by the CDC for all preteens and teens.

• Many states now require vaccination for adolescents or education of families and college students about prevention.

• Vaccination rates have climbed steadily in recent years.

• NMA has built an important support network for families who have suffered from the impacts of meningococcal disease.

Lynn Bozof, co-founder and president of the National Meningitis Association, will be available for telephone interviews on Friday, April 20. She’ll be joined by Jeri Acosta, who lost her son Robert in 2006. Jeri will be honored by the NMA during its 10-year Anniversary gala on April 23rd. She is part of NMA’s Moms on Meningitis (M.O.M.s) program, which comprises more than 50 M.O.M.s in over 30 states.

Improvements in meningococcal disease awareness and vaccination rates are the result of work by many dedicated organizations and advocates. Lynn is thrilled that NMA is among them. Yet, she knows there is more work to be done. Four in ten adolescents remain unvaccinated, and many families are unaware that a booster for teens was recently added to the vaccination schedule. For more information, listeners can visit www.nmaus.org.

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