Long Island, NY - September 12, 2017 - Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) is proud to announce that Saturday, September 16, will be officially known as Microvillus Inclusion Disease (MVID) Awareness day in New York after the passage of a Resolution he supported and which was introduced by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) this legislative season.
Assemblyman Ra has met with the Onorato family, whose four-year-old son, Thomas Kevin, was diagnosed with the rare genetic disease and has spent most of his life in and out of hospitals. The Onorato family has since started a non-profit organization, the TKO Strong Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children diagnosed with MVID, not only by raising awareness about the disease but also by supporting research to find more effective treatments.
“A four-year-old should spend their day building block towers to knock down, drawing pictures to hang on the fridge and making sticky messes for their parents to clean up, not being hooked up to a variety of machines while looking at what a beautiful day it is outside from a hospital bed,” said Montesano. “I am so happy I am able to partner with Assemblyman Ra to help raise awareness about Microvillus Inclusion Disease, which the Onorato family’s four-year-old son, Kevin Thomas, has been diagnosed with. I hope we can educate more people about this terrible disease and support research to allow those diagnosed to live the normal, fun and carefree life every child deserves.”
To learn more or donate please visit: www.tkostrongfoundation.org.