(NewsNation) — There’s a bill on Capitol Hill aimed at getting EpiPens in more hands nationwide.
“Gio’s Law” would establish a $25 million federal grant program to fund and equip all first responders with EpiPens, which are used to treat allergic reactions in an emergency.
Giovanni’s mother, Georgina Cornago, has been pushing for a law like this for more than a decade — ever since losing her son to a severe allergic reaction.
“We did everything we were told to do. He was vigilant. We always carried his epinephrine, his medications,” she told NewsNation.
But his reaction was more serious than they’d realized, and she couldn’t find his EpiPen. After a month-long coma, Gio passed away.
“At his bedside, I made him a promise that I would fight and help educate other families, others to not ever have to be in the position that we are, to know our pain ever again,” she said. “And that’s where Gio’s law came from.”
Gio’s Law is already on the books in New York, but Cornago took her cause to Capitol Hill in November in hopes of getting it enacted nationwide.
“It’s been hard work, but hard work is finally seeing its way through, and it’s such a great accomplishment. And we’re not all the way there yet, but if it’s gotten this far, I know we’re going to make it happen all the way,” Cornago said.