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

The morning before Halloween, Marybeth's daughter Lauren had a fever and was lethargic so she brought her to the doctor. The doctor told Marybeth to take her home to rest. Once home, Lauren was vomiting and her fever was getting higher. When a purplish rash began to develop, Marybeth called her pediatrician again who told her to bring Lauren to the hospital immediately. Once at the hospital, doctors administered antibiotics but Lauren's kidneys began to fail and she was having trouble breathing. Lauren was placed in a coma for two weeks, and doctors had to amputate Lauren's right hand, the fingertips on her left hand and both her legs below the knee in order to save her life. Months later, Lauren underwent a kidney transplant due to complications from the disease.

For more information about prevention and meningococcal vaccination recommendations, click here.

"We are very fortunate that Lauren survived this disease, since so many families are not as lucky," said Marybeth. "Parents need to be aware of meningococcal disease and speak with their health care providers about protecting their children through vaccination."

Paige Kach
Carmel, New York

Mother of John, Who Survived Meningococcal Disease

John Kach

Watch John's Story

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. In October 2005, Heather called her mother to tell her she had been vomiting and felt weak. Concerned, her father, Jerry, went to check on her. When he arrived, he found that Heather could not walk and was developing a purplish rash. Jerry called Carol who as a nurse recognized the symptoms of the potentially fatal bacterial infection. She told her husband to rush Heather to a hospital. By the time they arrived, Heather's legs had begun to turn black and her kidneys began to fail, causing septic shock. Doctors had to amputate Heather's right leg below the knee and two of her fingers in order to save her life.

For more information about prevention and meningococcal vaccination recommendations, click here.

"I want all parents to be aware of the symptoms of meningococcal disease and prevention methods so they can make an informed decision on how to best protect their children," said Carol.

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. The day after celebrating his first birthday, 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 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. However, the next day, Kentin's organs began to fail and he passed away in his father's arms.

For more information about prevention and meningococcal vaccination recommendations, click here.

"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."