Sunnyvale, California (PRWEB) January 14, 2015

Stop CMV announces the launch of new education and awareness research grants to improve awareness about cytomegalovirus (CMV), the leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Grants will also improve awareness of the recommended precautions shown to reduce the risk of CMV transmission to pregnant women and will improve the dissemination of this knowledge to the public, to medical practitioners, and to policy makers. Up to $ 35,000 is available to support research and awareness projects with proposals are being accepted through May 15, 2015. Successful proposals will be funded by Stop CMV for one year with the Board of Directors deciding on which proposals to fund at its September 2015 meeting. To learn more about the research grant program and download the 2015 RFA, please visit http://www.StopCMV.org.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that one in every 150 children is born with congenital CMV. CMV is the most common congenital (meaning present at birth) infection in the United States and is the most common cause of birth defects and disabilities, including deafness, blindness, cerebral palsy, mental and physical disabilities, seizures, and death. CMV is a common virus, present in saliva, urine, tears, blood, and mucus, and is carried by 70 percent of healthy infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children who contract the virus from their peers. About 60 percent of women are at risk for contracting CMV during pregnancy, posing a major risk to mothers, daycare workers, preschool teachers, therapists, and nurses.

“Because of a lack of public awareness and priority, limited funding has been available to advance the state of CMV education research,” says Janelle Greenlee, president of Stop CMV. “We hope this groundbreaking grant will establish CMV as an urgent public health concern, keeping CMV on the minds and mouths of more professionals and policy makers.”

The mission of Stop CMV is to prevent and eliminate congenital CMV and to improve the lives of all people affected by congenital CMV. Since 2003, Stop CMV has been fostering congenital CMV awareness via internet and public awareness campaigns. The CMV Action Network is comprised of families, friends, and medical professionals personally affected by CMV and committed to public education efforts to prevent future cases of the virus. Since its non-profit incorporation in 2009, Stop CMV has grown to become the world’s largest CMV organization. Stop CMV has hundreds of parent supporters in the United States and worldwide who are ready to field inquiries for local media interviews. To connect with a parent in your area, please contact media(at)stopcmv(dot)org.






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