EACH YEAR...
Each year, a disease barely remembered by most Americans kills nearly one million children, a half million of those in Africa alone. This fact makes measles the single leading cause of vaccine-preventable death among children in Africa - more than AIDS, more than tuberculosis, and more than malnutrition. In a place where health conditions are extremely poor, living conditions are more than difficult, and access to health care is minimal, measles can be easily prevented with a simple vaccination.
The Measles Initiative is a long-term commitment to control measles deaths in Africa by vaccinating 200 million children, preventing 1.2 million deaths over five years. Leading this effort are the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and United Nations Children's Fund. Other key players in the fight against measles include the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and countries and governments affected by measles.
The goal with measles is to reduce mortality and morbidity by 95% and 90% respectively. There is no measles transmission in the Western Hemisphere. Virtually the only way Americans might see measles again is by traveling to an endemic country or by exposure from a person carrying the disease importing it into the country. By controlling the disease worldwide, Americans can be sure that measles remains only a faint memory.
For less than a dollar, a child can be easily and safely vaccinated against a disease that is so deadly, yet so simple to prevent. That dollar covers the cost of all necessary resources needed for a mass measles campaign - from the vaccine, syringes and cotton balls to the cost of making sure a volunteer has food for lunch during social mobilization. Social mobilization is led by the Red Cross and is the process of educating and gathering communities to achieve the highest immunization coverage possible.
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DID YOU KNOW?
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Measles kills nearly one million children each year, 500,000 in Africa alone
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Measles is the single leading VACCINE-PREVENTABLE cause of death among children in Africa , more than HIV, more than tuberculosis and more than malaria
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Every minute about one child in Africa dies from measles
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Measles, which is spread through the air, is one of the most contagious diseases known
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For less than a dollar, a child can be easily and safely vaccinated against measles
A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR A KILLER DISEASE
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$1.00 covers the cost of the necessary resources, including the vaccine, syringes, cotton balls, safe disposal of syringes, training for volunteers and the resources to spread the word about measles in local African communities.
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Youth throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties are raising funds to support the Measles Initiative through the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross to save the lives of African children. Donating $1.00 makes a difference!
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Purchase a measles pin, with a minimum donation of $1.00
Purchase a “Miles for Measles” T-Shirt for $5.00 (Adult S-XL)
Organize a fundraiser in your school or community
 For more info, ontact Cleo Hendrickson, Youth & CDE Coordinator at (732) 493-9100 Ext. 258. |