Latest news with #Lynbrook
New York Post
19-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Proposed ‘Gio's Law,' named for tragic LI teen, would see cops across US equipped with EpiPens
Cop cars in the US would be equipped with EpiPens in memory of a Long Island teen baseball player who died from an allergic reaction to peanuts, according a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress this week. Long Island Reps Laura Gillen (D) and Andrew Garbarino (R) said the bill would ensure the feds pony up $25 million to dole out to states to buy the critical life-saving allergic-reaction treatment for officers and train them in their use. The proposed legislation is dubbed 'Gio's Law' in honor of 14-year-old Giovanni Cipriano, a Lynbrook high-school freshman and travel baseball player who died in 2013 when he went into anaphylactic shock during a family vacation. 5 Proposed legislation dubbed 'Gio's Law' in honor of 14-year-old Giovanni Cipriano would equip cop cars with EpiPens. GoFundMe 5 Cipriano, a Long Island teen baseball player, died from an allergic reaction to peanuts. REUTERS Gio's mom, Georgina Cornago, was brought to tears as the bill was announced Wednesday — and as she recalled her 'amazing' son. 'I stand here today overwhelmed with gratitude, emotion, and a deep sense of purpose,' Cornago said. 'This has been a long journey fueled by heartbreak, hope, and persistence.' Gillen said the bill not only pays tribute to Gio's memory but also aims to prevent future tragedies by giving cops the tools they need to respond when seconds matter. 'There's no reason we should be losing lives simply because first responders don't have the proper equipment,' the pol said. Epinephrine, best known under the brand name EpiPen, is an emergency treatment used for anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction triggered by such things as food, insect stings and medications. 5 'This has been a long journey fueled by heartbreak, hope, and persistence,' Cipriano's mom, Georgina Cornago, said about the bill. James Messerschmidt 'This is a public-safety issue, plain and simple,' Gillen said of the new bill. 'Over 32 million Americans live with life-threatening allergies — and the people we rely on to be first on the scene should be trained and equipped to help.' Cornago wept as she described her son as 'a super energetic boy' who loved making people laugh and never let anyone feel alone. 'I told you I'd never stop fighting — and I stand by those words,' she said. 'Equipping law enforcement and first responders with epinephrine is not optional. It's essential. It will save lives.' 5 'Equipping law enforcement and first responders with epinephrine is not optional. It's essential. It will save lives,' Cornago said. James Messerschmidt 5 Cornago described her son as 'a super energetic boy' who loved making people laugh and never let anyone feel alone. James Messerschmidt Lynbrook Police Inspector Sean Murphy, whose daughter's life was once saved by an officer's EpiPen, said the proposed legislation gives families like his peace of mind. At least 1,500 people die every year from anaphylasix, with the tragic rate doubling in the past two decades alone, according to the National Institutes of Health in 2023.
CBS News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Gio's Law, which would enable law enforcement to carry EpiPens, heads to Congress
A bill that would make it standard issue for first responders to carry EpiPens or other devices for life-threatening allergies is now in Congress. The bill carries the name of a Long Island boy. It has been 12 years since Georgina Cornago lost her son, Giovanni, to a peanut allergy attack. Now, her years of hard work have culminated in a congressional bill with her son's name on it. "To say I'm emotional is an understatement," Cornago said. "I just lost it. I broke down." Cornago is a warrior for allergy awareness. She started with her small village, Lynbrook. Every police car there now is equipped with an epinephrine auto injector as a result of her efforts. They've already saved two lives there. "The police officer is the one to respond to the call. There are just so many ambulances, but there's a much more prevalent number of police," Lynbrook Police Inspector Sean Murphy said. "There's no reason we are losing lives" Giovanni Cornago CBS News New York Gio's life might have been saved if officers had carried the devices at the time. The ninth grader ate trail mix he didn't know contained peanuts. His heart stopped on the way to the hospital. CBS News New York first spoke with Cornago more than a decade ago. "I definitely wasn't prepared, and I don't think anyone is prepared for that to happen," Cornago told CBS News New York in 2013. Since then, Cornago has been on a mission to make sure others are prepared. Gio's Law, which enables law enforcement to carry the devices, is in effect in New York state, including Suffolk County. Nassau County has been a holdout, amid debate over costs and liability. The bipartisan congressional bill would establish a grant program to equip law enforcement across the country with EpiPens and similar devices, and to provide training to officers. CBS News New York "From bee stings, from nut allergies, from mold allergies, and there is no reason we are losing lives simply because we don't have the equipment we need," Rep. Laura Gillien said. Cornago said she believes concerns over liability can be overcome. "What's the worst that can happen? Somebody can die because you didn't give the EpiPen. That is the worst that can happen," Cornago said. Cornago said if police cars are equipped with Narcan, they should also carry epinephrine. Seconds count when anaphylaxis occurs. As she heads to the national stage to continue her mission, Cornago said she is reminded of a promise she made to Gio. "His death would not be in vain, and his life would have purpose, and I think I am doing that," she said. The bill is also sponsored by Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino.
