metro >> on the cover

Vaccine Express

Grieving mother arranges bus trips to Canada
to guard against meningitis B.

Robin Schwartz I Contributing Writer

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

But Bexsero, made by the pharma-
ceutical company Novartis, is approved
for use just across the border in Canada
(and in Europe and Australia). The Food
and Drug Administration says the vac-
cine is on a "fast track" to be licensed in
this country, but Stillman did not want
to wait. In May, she chartered a bus to
Canada and brought 46 people ages
4-76 along with her for their first shot.
They'll return for a second dose June 22.
Future bus trips for others are planned
for July, August and September.
"I knew that box could have saved my
daughter:' Stillman said. "That box. That
little box. It's a like a magic serum:'
Stillman received the vaccine at a
Windsor pharmacy (while holding a
photo of Emily) along with her husband,
Michael, their two other children, Karly,
22, and Zachary, 18, her parents, Sherrill
and Bernie Lewis of Bloomfield Hills,
and the rest of the group.
It's the same vaccine that was admin-
istered under compassionate release
to thousands of college students last
year after meningitis B outbreaks at
Princeton University in New Jersey
and the University of California Santa
Barbara. In March 2014, a Drexel
University student in Philadelphia
died from the same strain involved in
the Princeton outbreak. As a result, all
incoming Princeton freshman also are
being offered the vaccine.
"Bacterial meningitis is contagious
and generally spread through cough-
ing, sharing drinks, utensils or smoking
materials, and kissing," reads a message
on the Princeton University website.
"Individuals should remain vigilant for
signs and symptoms of meningococcal
disease, which include fever, headache,
body aches, fatigue, stiff neck, nausea,
vomiting, confusion and sensitivity to
light:'

Providing Protection

"Bexsero should be here; there is no
reason it should not be," Stillman said.
"There was no way in a million years I
was sending another kid off to college
without protection from this bacteria.
People are afraid. I am protecting these
people; I'm giving them peace of mind:'
Stillman declined to reveal the name
of the Canadian pharmacy she's work-

16 June 19 • 2014

ing with because she does not want
inquiries or media attention to disrupt
their business. The Emily Stillman
Foundation is covering the cost of the
bus; participants are asked to bring a
passport, fill out medical paperwork,
and pay $300 per person for the two
doses of the vaccine.
Michelle Klein Perlmuter of West
Bloomfield took the first bus trip with
her daughter, Molly, 18, who will soon
be a freshman at the University of
Michigan. She plans to return with her
son Brandon, 21, a U-M senior.
"I felt grateful and privileged to have
the opportunity to provide this for my
children," Perlmuter said. "I knew Emily
since she was in kindergarten. It's tragic
that it took the passing of a beautiful
young girl for us to learn about this. It
was emotional for me to bear witness
to the myriad of emotions Alicia was
experiencing. She's taking her painful
experience and channeling it in such a
positive and amazing way — it's truly
inspirational:'

A Shot For A Shot
Stillman has done a tremendous
amount of research since her daughter's
death and her efforts have received
international media attention. She's
now a certified National Meningitis
Association-trained advocate and a
spokesperson on organ donation for Gift
of Life Michigan. In addition to Bexsero,
she's also urging people to get Menveo,
the vaccine her daughter had, which is
available in the U.S. (It protects against

meningitis strains A, C, Y and W). The
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention has approved its use starting
at age 2 months through age 55, but it's
routinely given to 11-12 year olds with
a booster at age 16. Menomune is also
available for people ages 55 and older.
"It's my opinion that every person
should be vaccinated beginning at 2
months old," Stillman says. "People
should maintain this immunity until
they are at the end of their life:'
Stillman says she will not take people
on the bus to Windsor unless they're
vaccinated for the other meningitis
strains. To encourage vaccination, she
organized an upcoming event called "A
Shot for a Shot" from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday, June 29, at Passport Health in
Farmington Hills. Pre-registration is
required. Participants can get the men-
ingitis shot and celebrate their protec-
tion with dessert shots, bagels and fruit.
The cost is $140 and financial assistance
is available for those who apply in
advance.
"We will celebrate Emily at this event
as we continue to do at all of the Emily
Stillman Foundation events," Stillman
said. "We will make a difference!" ❑

To learn more about the bus trips
to Windsor and the A Shot for a
Shot event, or to make a donation
to the Emily Stillman Foundation,
go to www.foreveremily.org .

Richard Krugel
To Lead JCRC

D

r. Richard Krugel has been
elected to serve his first year
as president of the Jewish
Community Relations Council. Krugel has
distinguished himself through his exten-
sive leadership roles in Jewish and civic
organizations.
Krugel has spent many years working in
the Jewish community,
both locally and nation-
ally. He has served the
past two years as chair-
man of the Jewish Fund
and was a founding
board member of the
fund. He has held many
leadership positions in
Richard
the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, Krugel
including serving six
years as vice president. He has been chair-
man of the Federation's Alliance for Jewish
Education and president of the Fresh Air
Society/Tamarack Camps.
Nationally, Krugel is on the board
and executive committee of the Jewish
Federations of North America and served
many years on the board of JESNA, Jewish
Education Service of North America.
His past communal work has also
included serving on the boards of Sinai
Hospital of Detroit, the Rehabilitation
Institute of the DMC and the Visiting
Nurse Association Inc., where he was
chairman of the board of the Visiting
Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan.
An orthopedic surgeon practicing with
the Wayne State University Physicians
Group, Krugel is also an assistant pro-
fessor of orthopedics at WSU School of
Medicine.
Newly elected JCRC vice presidents
are Ruth Grey and Sue Luria. Secretary
Mary Ellen Gurewitz and Treasurer Nancy
Welber Barr complete the JCRC officer
corps.
The following individuals are mem-
bers of JCRC's board of directors: Jim
August, Larry August, Hon. Vicki Barnett,
Janet Berman, Sue Birnholtz, Adam
Blanck, Cathy Cantor, Ben Falik, Seth
Fisher, Sheldon Freilich, Shari Goldstein,
Jodi Goodman, Dr. Charles Greenberg,
Ethan Gross, Florence Herrmann, Betsy
Heuer, Rabbi Jennifer Lader, Renee
Liberman, Sue Lutz, Sandi Matz, Hon.
Andy Meisner, Sharon Milberger, Milt
Neuman, Erica Peresman, Maurice Rose,
Jim Rosenfeld, Karen Rosenstein, Rabbi
Steven Rubenstein, Kelli Saperstein, Hy
Safran, Susi Schoenberger, Bert Schreiber,
Abbe Binder Sherbin, Karen Simmons,
Rabbi Aaron Starr, Lori Talsky and Deena
Weisberg.

❑