Legislation

Thanks especially to the tireless efforts of Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, and the support of Senator Nozzolio, who lost a nephew to meningococcal disease, Governor Pataki signed groundbreaking legislation that requires camps, secondary schools, and colleges, which have housing for students to provide information about the disease and vaccine and students must provide immunization response.

> See Public Health Law 2167

State Events

State M.O.M.s

Marybeth Leeber
Stony Point, New York

Mother of Lauren, Who Survived Meningococcal Disease

Lauren Leeber

Marybeth didn't know about meningococcal disease before watching her 5-year-old daughter Lauren fight for her life. The day before Halloween, Lauren began feeling ill and had flu-like symptoms. She was hospitalized later that evening and doctors had to amputate Lauren's right hand, the tips of her left hand finger and both her legs below the knee in order to save her life. Marybeth and her family feel fortunate that Lauren survived, but know that not all families affected by meningococcal disease are as fortunate.

> Full Bio (PDF)

Paige Kach
Carmel, New York

Mother of John, Who Survived Meningococcal Disease

John Kach

One day in March 2000, Paige got the phone call every mother dreads: a hospital physician called to say her son John, a college freshman, had been diagnosed with meningococcemia. Paige knew that there was a vaccine available to protect against the disease, but was unable to locate it for John before left for college. As a result of the disease, doctors had to amputate both of John's legs below the knee and all his fingers. John survived these obstacles to graduate from Salve Regina University and is currently developing his public speaking skills to share his story with others.

> Listen to PSA (mp3)
> Full Bio (PDF)

Carol Tufano
Massapequa, New York

Mother of Heather, Who Survived Meningococcal Disease

Heather Tufano

Carol Tufano’s daughter, Heather, was a freshman in college when she contracted meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection that can strike adolescents and college students.    

> Full Bio (PDF)

Molly DeJourdan
Watertown, New York

Mother of Kentin, Who Died from Meningococcal Disease

Kentin Davis

Molly DeJourdan's son Kentin was a vibrant one-year-old when he tragically lost his life to meningococcal disease, a potentially deadly bacterial infection. The day after celebrating Kentin's first birthday with family and friends, Kentin began acting fussy after dinner and felt warm. Molly discovered he was running a fever, and gave him Tylenol before putting him to bed for the night with a fever of only 100.2. The next day when his father went to wake Kentin up for his one-year physical, he was barely conscious. Kentin was immediately rushed to the emergency room where he was diagnosed with meningococcal disease. Doctors administered antibiotics to stop the spread of infection, but told Molly that Kentin's condition was very serious. Kentin was transported to a hospital better equipped to handle his condition. Once he was there, Kentin's condition seemed to improve and doctors expected him to survive, but with severe brain damage. However, the next day, Kentin’s organs began to fail and he passed away in his father's arms. Although there is currently no vaccine approved for Kentin’s age group, Molly hopes that a vaccine that is being studied will soon become available and recommendations will be expanded to help protect all younger children.

"It is important for parents to educate themselves about meningococcal disease and to be aware of its symptoms," said Molly. "I encourage parents to talk to their child's health care provider about vaccination and whether their children are at risk for this devastating disease."

> Full Bio (PDF)