Nonprofit advances menstrual toxic shock syndrome awareness ahead of National Women’s Health Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rumson, NJ — April 29, 2026 — Don’t Shock Me: The Maddy Massabni Foundation for Menstrual Toxic Shock Awareness announced its upcoming 6th Annual Butterflies for Maddy Fashion Show, taking place on May 7, 2026, at The Raven and The Peach in Fair Haven, New Jersey.

The announcement follows a growing wave of legislative momentum in New Jersey. In January 2026, Senate Joint Resolution 49 (SJR-49) officially designated March 30 as Menstrual Toxic Shock Syndrome (mTSS) Awareness Day in the state for the first time. The designation marks an important step in raising public awareness and advancing education around this life-threatening condition.

Founded by her mother and brother in memory of Madalyn “Maddy” Massabni, who passed away at 19 from mTSS on March 30, 2017, the nonprofit is dedicated to saving lives through education and legislative advocacy.

To support its ongoing mission, the 6th Annual Butterflies for Maddy Fashion Show will honor Maddy’s love for fashion while raising critical funds to expand awareness initiatives and advocacy efforts. The event will also feature student models from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, highlighting the foundation’s impact on the local community.
Tickets and additional event details are available at:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-butterflies-for-maddy-fashion-show
"I made a promise to my daughter that she would always be remembered—and that we would do everything possible to ensure others are spared from a preventable tragedy through education and awareness. She is, and will always be, my world," said Dawn Massabni, founder and CEO.

As National Women’s Health Month approaches this May, the foundation is highlighting the ongoing need for education around mTSS, a rare but potentially fatal condition that remains widely misunderstood.

The foundation’s work continues beyond this designation as it advocates for additional legislation, including “Madalyn’s Law” (A339), which would require schools to incorporate menstrual toxic shock syndrome education into health curricula, as well as the mTSS Medical Questions Act, which would require healthcare providers to screen for mTSS symptoms when patients present with flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

mTSS affects approximately 17 in 100,000 women ages 13 to 25 each year and has seen little reduction in cases since the 1980s, underscoring the need for continued education and awareness.

About Don’t Shock Me: The Maddy Massabni Foundation for Menstrual Toxic Shock Awareness:

The 501(c)(3) foundation’s mission is to make the world safer for daughters, sisters, friends, and future generations. It works to empower women with life-saving educational resources to help prevent complications and needless deaths from menstrual toxic shock syndrome.

Media Contact:

Dawn Massabni
[email protected]
https://www.dontshockme.org/


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