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9/26/2014  |   4:30 PM - 6:00 PM   |  

TURNING DESPAIR INTO ACTION: A MOTHER’S MISSION TO RAISE CMV AWARENESS AFTER THE LOSS OF HER DAUGHTER

Background: Madeline Leigh Armstrong was born in Katy, Texas on January 31, 2014. After a textbook pregnancy with normal ultrasounds and routine doctor visits, her parents were shocked to learn that Maddie had contracted congenital CMV in utero. The Armstrongs had never heard of CMV until one hour after their daughter was born. Maddie was in the NICU for ten days while she went through numerous medical procedures and tests. Once her parents received the devastating news that she was terminal, they began making arrangements to bring her home on hospice care. Maddie passed away after two days at home. She was only 12 days old. Methods: A local grassroots organization, Maddie’s Mission, was founded in February, 2014 and donations were raised for Stop CMV in memory of Madeline. The Armstrongs participated in local television and newspaper interviews to raise CMV awareness throughout Houston. Maddie’s Mission created educational materials to distribute to daycares, obstetric and pediatric offices, moms’ groups, etc. Maddie’s Mission also launched a website and social media to extend the reach of CMV awareness online and implemented several awareness initiatives for National Congenital CMV Awareness Month. Results • Raised $41,000 for Stop CMV. • Reached 550 individuals through social media. • Distributed ~1000 pamphlets and flyers. • Designed, assembled, and distributed 280 CMV awareness buttons. • Educated 1050+ people through our June E-Newsletter. • Participated in a CMV presentation to the medical community at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. • Katy Lifestyles and Homes Magazine published Maddie’s CMV Story in their June Issue which is mailed to ~40,000 homes. • Conducted a CMV Awareness Presentation to ~50 BP employees and the Working Parents Network. • Reached ~3,500 women through the CMV Awareness Series published on Houston Mom’s Blog. • Educated shoppers at a two-day shopping event hosted by Cobblestone Cottage and featuring trunk shows from Stella and Dot and Thirty-One.

Farah Armstrong (Primary Presenter), farah.armstrong@gmail.com;
Farah Armstrong has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. She has 10 years of working experience as a mechanical engineer for BP in Houston and FMC Technologies in Singapore. Farah lives in Katy, Texas with her loving husband, Patrick, and two year old daughter, Sophie Michelle. Farah's passion for CMV Awareness is in loving memory of her daughter, Madeline Leigh, who was only able to spend 12 short days on this earth due to congenital CMV.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.

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296FarahArmstrong.pptx