Mary McGonigle-Martin Joins STOP Board of Directors

STOP Foodborne Illness, the Chicago-based non-profit working to prevent illness and death from foodborne illnesses via advocacy, collaboration and innovation, announced today that Mary McGonigle-Martin has joined the organization’s Board of Directors.

“We’re thrilled to have an advocate of Mary’s caliber join the STOP Board,” said Mitzi Baum, CEO of STOP. “Her commitment to educating consumers and medical professionals about the trauma and long-lasting impact of foodborne illnesses makes her a welcome addition to our team.”

McGonigle-Martin is from Murrieta, Calif., where she is the co-head counselor at Corona High School. In 2006, after her son contracted a foodborne illness from drinking contaminated raw milk (sold legally in California), McGonigle-Martin experienced first-hand the overall lack of knowledge regarding early detection and treatment of such sicknesses. In the years since, she has testified as an expert witness against raw milk bills in multiple states. She’s also spoken before the National Environmental Health Association, the Nevada Food Safety Task Force, the Association of Food and Drug Officials, and the National Environmental Health Association.

“I learned about STOP and its work only after my son was ill and hospitalized for two months,” McGonigle-Martin said. “This organization, and the work they do is critical to individuals and families dealing with the aftermath of a foodborne illness. The emotional and psychological consequences for those affected needs to be addressed.  I look forward to helping to fill that gap.”

Lauren Bush, STOP Board co-chair, noted that families like McGonigle-Martin’s are a key factor in driving awareness. “Mary and her family have lived through the harrowing days and nights of watching their child suffer because of a foodborne illness. Her story, like that of so many children on STOP’s ‘Honor Wall’, are why we continue our work,” Bush said.

For more information about STOP Foodborne Illness, visit https://stopfoodborneillness.org/