NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – On Wednesday, 11am EST, survivors living with chronic injuries resulting from defective Johnson & Johnson (J&J) pelvic mesh implants will field questions from members of the press about their intentions to have their voices heard during J&J’s Annual Shareholders Meeting which will take place at 10am EST at the Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick (2 Albany St., NJ 08901).
WHO: Survivors & Family Members: Gay Courter, Robert Fish McClenny, Linda Wilcox, Estelle Tasz, Teresa Sawyer Advocates: Levana Layendecker (CAN), Jane Akre
WHAT: Press Conference call with survivors living with chronic injuries stemming from J&J pelvic mesh implants and their advocates.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11 am EST
DIAL-IN INFO: 866-952-7535; *Conference ID: MESH
The survivors will file a grievance Wednesday morning with Senator Kay Hagen, Chairwoman to the Subcommittee on Children and Families, calling on the Subcommittee to investigate J&J’s recent destruction of documentary evidence related to multi-district litigation filed by over 20,000 women severely injured by the corporations pelvic mesh devices. The call for a senate investigation comes on the heels of an announcement made by the DOJ that they are reviewing a similar request and it will be paired with a call made by the survivors that J&J’s board of directors conduct an internal investigation in the interim.
During the press call the survivors, accompanied by members of The Corporate Action Network (CAN) will detail their 48-hour plan of action, which will include:
• A visually arresting light projection protest action targeting J&J (scheduled for 8pm 4/23 [Corner of Church St & Neilson St, New Brunswick NJ 08901]).
• Explosive video content released on johnsonandjohnsonhurtswomen.com
• A press conference outside J&J’s AGM (scheduled for 8am, 4/24 outside the Hyatt Regency [2 Albany St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901]).
• Mesh survivors plan to speak inside the J&J AGM itself (scheduled for 10am, 4/24 inside the Hyatt Regency [2 Albany St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901]).
About Gay Courter
Gay Courter, 69, of Crystal River, Florida is a bestselling writer and documentary filmmaker. She had mesh implanted during a hysterectomy, in case of aging problem, but not needed at the time. Her mesh eroded causing pain, severe infection, and urinary problems. She had a removal but continues to have ongoing issues.
About Robert Fish McClenny
Robert Fish of McClenny, Florida watched his mother in pain after implantation of the Bard mesh sling and the Johnson & Johnson Prolift. His mother Wilma Darlene Fish, 68, was referred to pain management but ended her own life in October 2011 before she could make it to the clinic to receive narcotics. He does not want her life and suffering to be in vain and promises to help fight the implantation of surgical mesh without the properly testing.
About Linda Wilcox
Linda Wilcox, 67, of Bluffton, South Carolina had a Prolift mesh kit implanted in February 2011. Prior to her implant she had a full live and was involved in real estate investment research and the arts. Today she lives in chronic pain which leaves her unable to concentrate. She stays home most of the time. Ms. Wilcox has endured two partial removals and has more surgery ahead though she’s been told the damage is permanent.
About Estelle Tasz
Estelle Tasz, 37, is the mother of four daughters. When was 29 following the birth of her youngest she was implanted with Johnson and Johnson Prolift mesh kit to treat prolapse. In the 9 years since then she’s had 12 surgeries including a major 13-hour surgery to remove the mesh which had eroded into 3 organs and migrated up into her abdominal wall. She is facing her next surgery in May 2014 to remove additional mesh and reconstruct her pelvic floor. She’s been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease since her mesh implant which is attacking her heart.
About Teresa Sawyer
Teresa Sawyer, 45, had a Johnson & Johnson TVT mesh implanted during surgery to remove a cyst. She did not know the risks associated with the use of mesh as she was told by her doctor it was the “Gold Standard” and “completely safe.” Within 30 days the mesh started eroding in her body and she decided she wanted the plastic device removed. That has not proven to be as easy and Teresa has undergone mesh explants surgeries and suffers from bladder infections and severe pain. Because of her experience, she and her husband David began TVT-NO! a nonprofit organization that raises funds to help other women with mesh find medical solutions as well as outreach and education. When they asked one of the nurses how they learned about mesh, she said the pharmaceutical company rep.
About Levana Layendecker
Levana Layendecker has been a political activist and professional organizer for over fifteen years. She started out working as a campus organizer and canvass director for the State PIRG’s (Public Interest Research Groups) after finishing her undergrad degree and went on to become the Web Communications Director for the American Friends Service Committee while obtaining a Master’s degree in Governmental Administration from the Fel’s Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving her degree, Ms. Layendecker worked on the health care reform campaign in Washington D.C. as the Director of Online Campaigns for Health Care for America Now, a grassroots coalition mobilizing millions to win a guarantee of quality, affordable health care. She most recently served as the Senior Strategist for MoveOn.org’s coordinated campaigns helping to support progressive candidates for Congress across the country.
About Jane Akre
Jane Akre has been a journalist for nearly 30 years working as a broadcaster, anchor, and reporter at stations all around the country as well as CNN. She has won numerous awards including the Society of Professional Journalists Award for Ethics as well as the Goldman Prize, North America 2001 for environmental reporting. Ms Akre began the website Mesh Medical Device News Desk (Mesh News Desk) in 2011 to investigate the many stories she was hearing
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