Joint Resolution Passes NJ Senate as NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome

Celebrates Tourette Awareness at the State House

Members of the Senate and General Assembly helped NJCTS recognize Youth Scholarship winners,
Youth Advocates of the Year and top fundraisers in a ceremony prior to the vote.

Somerville, NJ, June 13, 2018 --(PR.com)-- To mark the occasion of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day
being instituted in New Jersey, the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, Inc.
(NJCTS) celebrated with an awards ceremony at the New Jersey State House in Trenton on Thursday,
June 7. During the ceremony, NJCTS presented twelve scholarships, recognized the top fundraising teams
of their virtual walk event, and awarded the Youth Advocates of the Year.

Scholarships were given by NJCTS to accomplished high school seniors who live with Tourette
Syndrome (TS) - an inherited, neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 individuals. These awards were
all presented by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman. The top scholarship award was presented to Charles
Griebell of Princeton and Hallie Hoffman of Belle Mead. The second place award was presented to
Michael Hayden of River Vale. Finalists included Sarah Baldwin of Mantua, Gregory Bristol of
Flemington, Alexis Cariddi of Franklin Lakes, Venkata Dudi of Pine Brook, Crystal Flax of Bridgewater,
Gregory Houldsworth of Wyckoff, Bennet Miller of Chester, Matthew Muller of Little Egg Harbor, and
Liane Sturrock of Fort Lee.

“We could not be more proud of these young men and woman and all that they have accomplished during
their high school career,” said Faith Rice, Executive Director of NJCTS. “They have shown that TS does
not have to hold you back. We wish them well in college and in all of their future endeavors.”

Earlier this year, NJCTS conducted a virtual event: NJ Walks for TS. Several families participated by
creating their own event to raise awareness and funds for TS. The top fundraising teams were awarded
certificates of achievement at the State House by Senator Troy Singleton, including Jatin Nayyar, 15, of
Morganville who was the top fundraiser in the state. Other top fundraising teams included: Team Charles
& Reyner, led by Charles Griebell,18, and Reyner Allen, 9, of Princeton; Team Nicholas, led by Nicholas
DeLieto, 9, of Spotswood; Team Jamo, led by Jameson Dougherty, 9, of Newfoundland; Team Aiden, led
by Aiden Storer, 11, of Trenton; and Team Tim's NB Raiders, led by Ally Abad, 18, of North Brunswick.

Youth Advocate of the Year awards were presented by Assemblywoman Patricia Egan Jones to the
graduating advocates in recognition of their contribution to making a difference in New Jersey's Tourette
Syndrome Community. NJCTS Youth Advocates are dedicated to improving awareness and breaking the
stigma of TS by educating the public, medical professionals, and educators, and by supporting kids and
families living with TS. Youth Advocates receiving the award this year were Ally Abad, Sarah Baldwin,
Charles Griebell, Michael Hayden, Hallie Hoffman and Liane Sturrock.

The joint resolution which officially designates June 4 of each year as “Tourette Syndrome Awareness
Day” passed the General Assembly on May 24 and the Senate on June 7. Primary sponsors of the
resolution on the Assembly side were Assembly members Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D37), Nicholas

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Chiaravalloti (D31), and Angela V. McKnight (D31). Primary sponsors on the Senate side were Senators
Christopher “Kip” Bateman (D16) and Troy Singleton (D7). Prior to the Senate vote, NJCTS was
recognized and brought onto the floor of the chamber for a photo.

“Raising public awareness of Tourette Syndrome is a critical step in encouraging the medical research
needed to discover effective treatments, or even a cure, for those affected by this condition,” said Senator
Singleton. “There are more than 20,000 children in New Jersey alone facing this neurological disorder.
By dedicating June 4th as 'Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day,' those living with this condition are
brought to the forefront of our hearts and minds.”

The NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, the nation's first Center for Excellence
for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and
families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality
services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical
professionals, and teachers about this disorder through programs and affiliations with public schools,
health centers, and universities. To learn more about Tourette Syndrome and the programs available from
NJCTS, visit www.njcts.org.

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Contact Information:
NJCTS
Doreen Pustizzi
908-575-7350
Contact via Email
www.njcts.org

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/756481

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