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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE
September 24, 2019
Contact: Katrina Spradley, 229-733-9418
Mesh Victims United Receives Nonprofit Approval by IRS, Announces New Projects
A group of patients impacted by their injuries from pelvic mesh has finally received its 501(c) 3 approval from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, making it an official nonprofit organization.
Katrina Spradley, Secretary of Mesh Victims United (MVU), spearheaded formation of MVU with the purpose of uniting the many diverse mesh groups, both in the U.S. and internationally with the goals of educating the public, the medical community, and the media about the dangers of using an untested polypropylene mesh to treat incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and hernias.
“We are looking to achieve a ground shifting in how mesh is viewed by medical professionals and the Food and Drug Administration by bringing patient impact front and center,” says Spradley.
“It cannot be business as usual and laws and treatments need to begin with a more conservative approach rather than the reckless disregard for the damage that has been done to mesh victims. The FDA also needs to acknowledge the damage mesh has done to thousands of women globally and stop clearing it for sale without any clinical trials through the agency’s 510(k) process. We have enough evidence that it is not working to protect the public!”
MVU wants to unite the mesh community believing we are stronger and louder together.
“All are welcome under this organization and we hope to coordinate a cohesive effort to work together, while we retain our individuality. Together we are stronger and able to achieve more,” says Spradley.
Communication will be the key to MVU, utilizing both the website and Facebook group, Twitter, and Instagram, and coordinating the efforts of a multitude of U.S.-based mesh patient groups, as well as international organizations will be key to raising awareness worldwide.
Health and healing is forefront, with information on what women who are impacted by the serious devastating injuries caused by pelvic mesh can do to alleviate their pain.
The group’s genesis began in Chicago at the 2018 AUGS rally at last year’s AUGS meeting (American Urogynecologic Society) and achieved a sit down meeting with executive members of AUGS who, this year, will include one member from MVU as a patient representative in the annual AUGS convention in Tennessee this October.
Mesh victims have been seen as adversaries to doctors who specialize in female urology or urogynecology. This was the first time the mesh injured community sat down with those whose specialty it was to treat these complications.
“We need to represent ourselves as the injured community and not as adversaries so they can better understand what we are going through. This chapter must never be repeated,” says Nancy Gretzinger, who wrote a book about her experience with mesh.
“We need to educate doctors about how patients are suffering that will encourage new strategies for approaching mesh complications. Mesh Victims United allowed them to see passionate, logical awareness presented first hand by the patients who are suffering. This is information they need moving forward.”
MVU believes this dark chapter in women’s and patient health must never be repeated. Hernia mesh too is made with the same polypropylene and all efforts will encompass education for those seeking a hernia solution.
Initial efforts will include a monthly newsletter and plans to coordinate with mesh patients in Scotland, Australia and England who are all suffering the same complications as are seen in the U.S.
MVU will plans a major national public awareness campaign that includes travel a visible campaign traveling over the U.S. to disseminate information and speak at grassroots forums. Donations will help to make that happen.
MVU will be all inclusive and welcomes input from the entire community and is also seeking additional board and committee members.
Contributions to MVU will be tax deductible to anyone who donated in 2018, according to IRS Certification of Incorporation. ###
