2007 Neuropathy Action Awareness Day

June 26, 2007

The first annual Neuropathy Action Awareness Day, produced by the Neuropathy Action Foundation, was held June 26, 2007 at the UCSF Conference Center at Mission Bay in San Francisco. The event was a huge success! The NAF would like to give a special thanks to the Northern California Chapter of The Neuropathy Association (NCCNA) for its support of and enthusiasm for the event.

  • Dominick Spatafora

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    Dominick Spatafora, President of the NAF, addresses the attendees at the 2007 Neuropathy Action Awareness Day.

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  • Capacity Crowd

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    The capacity gathering of patients listens to Dominick Spatafora, President of the NAF, discuss his own experience with neuropathy.

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  • Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi

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    California State Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi discusses the need for patients to have ready access to healthcare.

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  • "You Are Our Hero"

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    Michelle Vogel, MPH receives the "You Are Our Hero Award."

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  • Frank Stallone

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    Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated recording artist Frank Stallone sings to the crowd.

    Blue Fish

Neuropathy Action Awareness Day is designed to promote public awareness of neuropathy, and to provide helpful information to those who have the disease or who care about someone who does. Approximately 250 people attended the daytime health fair exhibits and seminars, and 160 attended the evening reception and dinner.

Special thanks to all 20 of the day’s exhibitors and numerous corporate sponsors.

The daytime seminars consisted of the following topics and speakers:

Patient Empowerment: Know Your Healthcare Rights

  • Diane De Surra,Senior Insurance Compliance Officer, California Department of Insurance
  • Lynn Gage, RN, Health Program Manager, Department of Managed Healthcare
  • Elaine Wong Eakin, Medicare Outreach Specialist, Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP)

IVIG at Home: A Treatment Option for Neuropathies

  • Michelle Greer, RN, Vice President of Business Development, Chronic Therapies, Crescent Healthcare

Keynote: Neuropathy Is Reversible: Dormant Nerve Cells, Electronic Pacemaker for the Legs, and Depleted Oxygen

  • David Phillips, PhD, CEO, ReBuilder Medical, Inc.

Acupuncture: A Remedy for Pain

  • Mark Frost, LAc, MSTCM, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Feldenkrais Method: An Awareness Through Movement Lesson

  • Donna Bervinchak, Feldenkrais Practitioner

Neuropathy 101 and Ask the Experts

  • Jonathan Katz, MD, Chief of Neuromuscular Services, California Pacific Medical Center
  • Jeffrey Ralph, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California San Francisco

The day ended with a reception and dinner. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening program was Dr. Kim Mulvihill, CBS 5 Healthwatch Doctor and Reporter for the Eyewitness News at 5 and 6 p.m. Speakers for the evening program included Dominick Spatafora, President of the NAF and Bev Anderson, President of the NCCNA. In addition, two awards were presented. California State Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) received the NAF’s "Legislator of the Year Award" and Michelle Vogel, MPH, Partner, Washington Strategic Consulting received the "You Are Our Hero Award." Entertainment was provided by Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated artist Frank Stallone.

The feedback provided on the event was so positive that the NAF is already planning for the 2nd Annual "Neuropathy Action Awareness Day" to be held in June 2008!