CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ThriveRx, the branded nutrition program of BioRx, LLC, is proud to announce that the company’s Senior Consumer Advocate, Ann Weaver, was awarded The Lyn Howard Nutrition Support Consumer Advocacy Award at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Nutrition Week in Savannah, Georgia.
The annual award is given to a patient/consumer, family member, or caregiver who has performed admirable activities and heroically advocated for others like themselves and their families. The award has been presented every year since 2009 in honor of Lyn Howard, A.S.P.E.N. member and co-founder of The Oley Foundation, a consumer organization that supports more than 13,000 members who rely on tube feeding or intravenous nutrition.
Weaver became an advocate for individuals on nutrition support 20 years ago when her son was born with Hirshsprung’s disease, a rare disorder that limits the function of the intestines and requires him to use intravenous, or parenteral, nutrition. A natural educator, Weaver has been a tireless voice and resource for the nutrition support community, authoring a book for children on intravenous nutrition, creating an informational resource to help parents and children through the transition of care from childhood to independence, and hosting educational sessions for support organizations.
Most recent, Weaver has spearheaded an awareness campaign to highlight the dire situation that patients are facing from chronic IV drug shortages in the United States. Seeking relief, in 2013 she brought more than one hundred personal stories and photos of individuals affected by the drug shortages to members of Congress on Capitol Hill.
“The Oley Foundation salutes Ann Weaver for all of her efforts to showcase the impact that drug shortages have had on the nutrition support community,” said Joan Bishop, executive director of The Oley Foundation. “Her visits and communication with lawmakers, as well as her constant awareness efforts within and outside of our community, have all provided a personal perspective of the fears of those who must rely on these drugs to sustain themselves. Hat's off to Ann who speaks so eloquently for our community!"
Weaver is currently raising awareness of the IV drug shortage with a petition to Senator Tom Harkin (IA) and Representative Fred Upton (MI), chairpersons of the congressional committees that oversee the FDA. The petition asks that the congressmen do everything in their power to compel the FDA to immediately work with drug manufacturers to help protect the lives of Americans.
Weaver took the opportunity of the A.S.P.E.N. meeting to continue efforts to address this ongoing problem. “She impressed upon those in the room that drug shortages impact real people, like her son,” said Tracy Nagi, founder of Tube Feeding Awareness and winner of the 2013 Lyn Howard Award. “Her words were a call to action for us all!"
ThriveRx is proud of Ann and her work on behalf of the parenteral nutrition community and looks forward to supporting her advocacy efforts in the future.
About A.S.P.E.N.
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) is dedicated to improving patient care by advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy and metabolism. Founded in 1976, A.S.P.E.N. is an interdisciplinary organization whose members are involved in the provision of clinical nutrition therapies, including parenteral and enteral nutrition. With more than 5,500 members from around the world, A.S.P.E.N. is a community of dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, scientists, students and other health professionals from every facet of nutrition support clinical practice, research and education.
About ThriveRx
ThriveRx, the branded nutritional program of BioRx, LLC, specializes in highly customized care for individuals with chronic nutritional deficiencies who require intravenous nutrition and tube feeding. Its clinical staff reaches patients and physicians in 48 states. BioRx is one of the nation’s fastest growing providers of specialty biological medications, with facilities in Ohio, Massachusetts, Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona, California and North Carolina. To learn more about BioRx, visit www.biorx.com or call 866.442.4679. For information about ThriveRx, visit www.thriverx.net or call 888.684.7483.
IV Drug Shortages Petition
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
The Oley Foundation
Tube Feeding Awareness
