A charity barbecue for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is scheduled for June 7 in Price. The community is invited to attend to learn more about CMV and support those struggling with it. The barbecue will take place at Washington Park from 12-2 p.m. Funds raised at the event will donated to the Utah CMV Fund.
Cytomegalovirus, otherwise known is CMV, is a common virus transferred by bodily fluids that is usually harmless to people with a healthy immune system. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CMV is the most common congenital viral infection in the United States. Additionally, more children will have disabilities due to congenital CMV than other well-known infections and syndromes including Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Spina Bifida and Pediatric HIV/AIDS.
Alicia Fulcher is the mother of three-year-old Nickolas who suffers from the most sever case of CMV in Carbon County.
“He has his hearing and vision, but he is restricted to his wheelchair and my arms,” Fulcher explained. “He is at a developmental level of a six-month-old and he’s three. He suffers with epilepsy and hasn’t gotten it controlled after trying 10 medications. He can no longer eat on his own he has a feeding tube. He is non-verbal. CMV is slowly taking him.”
Nickolas’ condition has gotten progressively worse since his birth, resulting in the young child being placed on hospice.
“Three weeks ago, his heart unexpectedly started to stop,” said Fulcher. “He’s now on hospice. But Nick is the happiest little boy. He’s always full of smiles.”
For more information regarding the barbecue and CMV, search “CMV Charity BBQ” on Facebook. The event is sponsored by the Naomi Chapter 13 Price Utah Order of the Eastern Star.