Online Support
Legal Resources
Because of the grassroots effort of volunteers from all walks of life, ignorance
of Group B Strep is being beaten back. While we cannot begin to recognize all of
the tireless volunteers and their countless hours here, we have begun collecting
snippets of recognition. We would like to add a bunch more - if you have an upbeat
story to tell, we'd love to hear
it!Thanks to...
A Better Image Printing, Amy and Jack Sanders, Amy Sanders, Beth Shaw, Carmen Ambaz, Cheri and Dan Stefek, Chris Ogden, Cindy and Patrick Coe, Dannette and Mike Simons, Dr. Nannette Mengel, Eileen Snyder, Gina Burns and Jay Fulkerson, Lisa and Keith Moses, Marie and Bob Pfau, Patrice and Jim Comey, Reena Schellenberg , Robin Smith, Sara Kennedy , Sue and Terry Turl, Tim and Judy Blakely, and Tina Brown.
Online Parent Support Contacts
Many have volunteered to answer questions about Infant Loss, Pre-term labor/loss, Stillbirth, Late Onset GBS, Handicapped Children, and other topics.
Dr. Nannette Mengel
We would like to recognize the volunteer efforts of Dr. Nannette Mengel of Chapel Hill. A professor of English at UNC-Chapel Hill, Nannette provided a much needed service by editing and re-editing our GBS pamphlets over the past seven years. Her efforts have had far reaching benefits. She volunteered many times for GBSA from the very first edits on the first educational pamphlet to the most recent and final edition. GBSA has mailed hundreds of thousands of pamphlets with the help of Dr. Mengel. Dr. Mengel passed away in November 1996. She is honored and will be missed.
"Giving allows me to touch the lives of people I don�t even know, but whose lives I would like to help improve." S. Chauvin
Reena Schellenberg
The Group B Strep Association owes debts of gratitude to Reena Schellenberg of Chapel Hill. Reena has worked tirelessly for GBSA for over a year. Not only has she provided long hours of her time meticulously answering mail, sending thousands of pamphlets, and answering phone calls, she has supported the many activities, programs, and new issues that have come along. She is co-author of the GBSA pamphlet. Along with spending hours at GBSA each week, she and her husband, Rafael Martin, also volunteer for GBSA!! There is more! Reena has cared for Gina and Jay�s children while Gina works in the GBSA office. GBSA gained an angel and a friend when Reena joined the organization. Reena is in graduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill studying Curriculum Development. We wish her continued success in all her endeavors.
A Better Image Printing
The Group B Strep Association thanks "A Better Image Printing" of Carrboro for their donation of design and layout of the new 1997 Group B Strep Association pamphlet!
Carmen Ambaz
Thanks to Carmen Ambaz of Miami for her work in having an educational piece aired on "Telemundo" an international Spanish news program. Carmen and her husband donated time to reproduce the GBSA pamphlet in Spanish. GBSA received hundreds of requests for the Spanish pamphlet in conjunction with the airing of the television show.
Chapel Hill Volunteers
A very special thanks to the Chapel Hill Volunteers, Beth Shaw, Amy Sanders, Robin Smith, and Sara Kennedy for their years of support to GBSA. These women have spent many many hours, folding and stuffing envelopes, sorting mail and filing for the Association. GBSA could not have done it without them!
Comey Family
Thanks to the Comey Family for their noble efforts at proposing GBS legislation in the state of Iowa. One year ago, the Comeys were battling the Iowa medical community in support of state legislation that would mandate routine screening of all pregnant women. The state obstetric group (Iowa ACOG) not only condemned the legislative efforts, they also brought in the state branch of the American Medical Association (AMA). These powerful and wealthy medical groups threatened to pull funding from the political coffers if the state politicians supported this legislation!!
Sadly, the politicians did not support the legislation. As has been the case over and over, the obstetric community continues to place their own best interests before those of the public that they serve.
Patrice and Jim Comey lost their 4th child, Colin, to GBS in August of 1995. Colin was born full term with no risk factors. He was sent to the newborn nursery where he fell into septic shock just hours after birth. Colin died hours later from an overwhelming GBS infection. The Comeys had three healthy children and had no knowledge of GBS prior to Colin�s birth. They welcomed a healthy new baby girl to their family in the fall of 1996.
Patrice and Jim have offered their support and volunteer services to parents needing information about litigation. Jim is an attorney and can help parents understand the legal process. They can be reached at 804-360-9212.
Pennsylvania GBSA Outreach Campaign
Thanks to Eileen Snyder who not only ran a great statewide campaign, but also took the time to write up how she did it...
Illinois Medical Advisory Board Established
A special thanks to Tina Brown of Milton, Illinois for establishing a State Medical Advisory Board of 14 physicians for Illinois. GBSA uses State Advisory Boards for parent/doctor networking and linking for parents in need of specific information. These doctors become the information link for other doctors in the state for up-to-date medical information on GBS. Any parents with questions can contact Tina at 217-723-4058. Thanks to Tina!!!
Would YOU like Volunteer???
If you would like your name, phone, and email to be listed as a support person please let us know.
