Shot of Prevention

Entries categorized as ‘General Info’

Real Guys Immunize – A Father’s Day Tribute.

June 17, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Real Guys Immunize Youtube
Real Guys Immunize

By Christine Vara

So often media messages regarding children’s health are directed towards women – or more appropriately “moms”.  In emphasizing the role of mothers in immunization decisions, we must not forget the importance of the men in our lives.  Historically, men have been considered the head of the household, the provider for the family and, in essence, the leader of the pack.  Men feel it is their duty to protect their families from harm and families often depend on that protection. 

Introducing the Real Guys Immunize social media campaign.  This is clearly a message that has relevance in today’s society: Empowering men to protect themselves and their families from vaccine preventable diseases.

So what can a real guy do?

  • First, they can immunize themselves to increase the protection offered to the “pack” by herd immunity, which is critical in preventing the resurgence of diseases such as measles and mumps. 
  • By keeping up to date on their own vaccinations, they can effectively “cocoon” their loved ones.  Take for instance the recommendation that fathers receive a Tdap booster to protect their infant children from whooping cough during the period before these infants begin receiving their own vaccinations.
  • Fathers should be involved in the decisions to immunize their children and can be essential in ensuring their children are up to date on vaccinations.
  • Young boys and adolescent men are encouraged to receive vaccinations for HPV and meningitis. 
  • Elderly men should also receive immunizations for flu, shingles and other diseases to not only protect themselves, but to limit the possibility that they might infect younger members of their family such as grandchildren. 

The fact is that the more guys immunize, the more they will protect their families and be hailed as heroes.

In honor of Father’s Day, tell us about your father, husband, grandfather, uncle, brother or friend in the captains’ corner of the Real Guys Immunize website.   We invite you to include include your own story about the real guys you know who immunize and check out the information within the i Herd section.  Visit the Facebook page to include a message and share a photo about these real guys in your life.  Share the website on twitter so that we can spread the word that “Real Guys Immunize”.  Honor the men in your life by sending them a special Father’s Day e-card from the Real Guys Immunize campaign.  They will certainly appreciate it and you will be doing your part to support healthy families.  There is even a collection of informative, and sometimes humorous, videos on youtube for you to share.

Let us know your thoughts about this exciting new campaign by commenting below.

Categories: General Info · Get Involved
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Rising Rates of Measles, Mumps and Pertussis of Great Concern.

May 18, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Christine Vara

Last month I posted an article that discussed the spread of measles as a result of low immunization rates.  One reference I made was in the case of young boy who traveled home to San Diego from a trip to Switzerland and subsequently exposed 839 people to the infection.   Another article by Amy Tuteur, MD of the SkepticalOB blog, expanded on this case in her post entitled “How Vaccine Rejectionists Hurt the Rest of Us” .  She makes a clear correlation to the rising rate of disease with the choices of some to forego vaccination.  The reality is that many diseases that we vaccinate against will continue to present a risk to our society if people continue to refrain from receiving the suggested immunizations. 

Since I posted the original piece regarding measles, I continue to read reports each week that indicate more of the same – higher rates of disease linked to unvaccinated children.  On the one hand, I am concerned about these specific examples of measles, mumps, and pertussis (or whooping cough).  On the other hand, I am encouraged that the media is attempting to spread the word regarding the risks and suggesting precautionary measures be taken.  Amazingly, the public health agencies are there to investigate and track these diseases in an effort to contain them.   

Just last week vcstar.com published an article with news that local whooping cough cases in Ventura County have more than quadrupled over the past year.  Although the California Department of Public Health stopped short of calling it an epidemic, they issued an April news release saying reported pertussis cases increased by more than 50 percent in California in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the same period of 2009.  Sadly two infants have died as a result.  The article took the time to explain the importance of receiving childhood vaccinations and booster shots for adolescents and adults in an attempt to prevent further disease. 

Sunday, an article posted from the LA Times went into great detail to explain how an East Coast outbreak of mumps has spread to Quebec and now LA county.  The outbreak began in June 2009 when an unvaccinated 11-year-old boy visited Britain, where mumps outbreaks remain high.  He then attended a summer camp for Jewish boys in New York where the disease was unknowingly transmitted to other campers.  According to the article, the New York State Department of Health has indicated that there have been more than 2,800 confirmed and probable mumps cases in New York and 315 in New Jersey as a result.  The outbreak is also linked to 20 mumps cases in Quebec, and to more than 2,600 infected in Israel.  Now, in Los Angeles, nine reported cases are believed to be linked and the media attention is highlighting the concern. 

Then yesterday I read an Omaha.com article that included a warning from the Douglas County Health Department in Omaha which cautioned people that a visitor had been diagnosed with measles.   I was impressed that they reported the specific days that the visitor was contagious and what locations were of concern.  The article went so far as to pinpoint exact exhibits within the local zoo, a specific mass at the Catholic church, as well as the time and location of other possible public exposure at various retail establishments.  These details, along with the media’s assistance in getting the news out to the public, will hopefully help to contain the spread of disease there. 

If these examples prove anything, it is that we live in a global community.  Some people may argue that it is unnecessary to vaccinate against these diseases – that it is unlikely to contract them and that they are not a serious health risk.  However, one must only read the news to understand that these diseases are becoming more prominent because there are people who choose not to vaccinate.  My hope is that these unfortunate stories, broadcast throughout various media forums,  will help to ensure that a large majority of our society will remain vigilant and continue to choose immunizations as an effective means of protection.  Hopefully, people will be educated enough to take the steps necessary to protect themselves and others.  One can start by have a conversation with their physician or by referencing the various resources listed on the Vaccinate Your Baby site.  If you should have any other information regarding this subject, please share in the comments below.    

   

Categories: General Info · In the News · Preventable Diseases
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Adults Need to Consider Vaccines Too

May 14, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Christine Vara

When I began my affiliation with Shot of Prevention, I encouraged readers to join me on my journey as I learned about vaccines and their effect on public health.  What I knew previously came from my personal experiences with my own five children.  However, in the 13 years since my oldest was born, new vaccines have been developed, the immunization schedule has been modified and the scope of the vaccine dialogue has broadened immensely.

I knew that there would be much to discover.  What I didn’t realize was how limited my view was.  Previously, I had considered vaccination to be an issue pertaining to children.  Interestingly enough, I am now beginning to understand the importance of vaccines at every stage of life.

A few months ago, I found myself in a discussion with my pediatrician regarding the HPV vaccine for my eldest daughter.  Just last week, a family member and I were discussing shingles and the painful and lasting symptoms that people suffer with as a result of this illness.  Then, the other day, my husband received multiple vaccinations in preparation for an upcoming trip overseas.  While this is a common occurrence required of his military occupation, I had never really considered it much before now.  He travels to various places where there is a lot of disease.  It just made sense that he would be vaccinated.  I had never even thought about how I may benefit from adult vaccinations.

Then today I came across a new online article entitled “Adults Need Vaccines Too” at Parenting.com.  It urged adults to be vigilant regarding immunizations and presented some surprising statistics regarding the extremely low percentage of vaccinated adults.  It went on to explain that some adults may never have had access to certain vaccines or never completed the recommended schedule as children.  Perhaps adults may not consider themselves at risk, or they may believe that their mature immune systems could adequately fight them off.  Others, like me, may inaccurately assume that the vaccines they received as children are still protecting them – not realizing that immunity can fade over time and that booster shots can prevent disease in adults.  The article has made me stop and question myself.  “Why is it that I haven’t received adult vaccines?” I wondered.

Surprisingly, throughout my entire adult life and through all five of my pregnancies, I have never had a doctor suggest I receive any vaccinations.  Since the subject was never raised, I never really considered that it was necessary.  Like many other adults, I guess I just associated vaccinations with infants and world travelers.  What I’ve learned now is that I need to be proactive and begin the conversation with my doctor.  While I rely on my doctor to make suggestions, I am ultimately responsible for maintaining my own health.

The Parenting.com article provides a good starting point by explaining the various vaccines that are most typically recommended for adults.  I urge you to review the article and share other references that our readers may find helpful by commenting below.  Together, we can empower one another by sharing our knowledge.

Categories: General Info · Parent Perspective · Preventable Diseases

Parents Encouraged to Talk with Pediatricians Regarding Vaccines

April 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Alanna Levine, MD, FAAP (Pediatrician and Spokesperson for the Protect Tomorrow campaign)

I see many children and parents each week in my pediatric practice. Just as I talk to them about healthy habits like proper hand washing, good nutrition and exercise, I also counsel parents about ensuring that their children receive all of their vaccines on time.  This week I am speaking on behalf of a new campaign from the American Academy of Pediatrics called “Protect Tomorrow.” The campaign features public service announcements that bring to life the diseases that were so devastating in the past, but can now be prevented by vaccines. I feel especially connected to this campaign because my own father suffered from polio as a child. His stories of that frightening time have impressed upon me the importance of protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases, because they can re-emerge if parents stop vaccinating. I encourage every doctor and parent to view these compelling public service announcements here.

The Protect Tomorrow campaign from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) brings to life the memories of the terrible diseases of the past and reminds parents that, unless their infants and children are vaccinated, they are at risk for contracting diseases that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The core components of the educational campaign are TV and radio public service announcements (PSA) that help all of us to remember the impact of the diseases that can now be largely prevented by vaccines.

Categories: Expert Insights · General Info · In the News
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National Immunization Conference: What Have We Learned?

April 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Christine Vara

The other night, after struggling with her homework, my daughter asked me “Mom, do you get mad at yourself when you make a mistake?”

I paused a moment before I recited one of my most frequently used mommy mantras.  “No one is perfect.  We all make mistakes.  What is important is that we learn from them.” 

Day after day, I expect my children to always try their best, but I know that they will make their share of mistakes.  Who doesn’t?  Yet, it is through these experiences that they will learn.  If we are too concerned about making mistakes, we neglect to try to accomplish that which has never been achieved.  This concept applies to my eight year old’s homework, as much as it does to my 13 year old’s soccer skills, and not surprisingly to society in general. 

This week many public health advocates gathered for the National Immunization Conference in Atlanta.  One of the goals of this conference, according to the CDC website, is to encourage participants to explore innovative strategies for developing programs, policy, and research in order to promote immunization coverage for all age groups.  A review of the agenda references a wide variety of immunization concerns such as barriers to vaccination, vaccine development and safety, immunization registries, health communication, education, policy and legislation, as well as global immunization surveillance. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, was even there to deliver the keynote address.

Of course, there are plenty of public health critics who voice their disappointment in regards to our public health system, and some even suggest improvements.  Fortunately, many of the health advocates attending this week’s conference were there to do the very same thing.    After reviewing the conference agenda, it is clear that the emphasis of this conference was to provide a forum for field experts to share their experiences and pass along lessons learned in an effort to improve practices, implementation and resources.  What better hope do we have for progress than a conference committed to comprehensive immunization education amongst the field experts?  Certainly there are models that are working that we can learn from and even continue to improve upon, which is why I am looking forward to hearing what was shared as the conference concludes.    

As parents, we need to be committed to doing our part as well.  Our children will continue to face life threatening diseases as adolescents and even adults.  If we are to ensure the health of our children and all children well into the future, than we need to remain vigilant and do our part to educate ourselves in regards to immunizations for all ages. We need to learn from one another and share resources, just as we expect the public health advocates to do at the conference. 

I’m curious to know what resources parents have found to be helpful.    For those who may have attended the conference, perhaps they can share their personal insight on the benefits of the conference.

Categories: General Info · Parent Perspective
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The Controversy over Dr. Oz

April 9, 2010 · 1 Comment

By Christine Vara

I have just read a very insightful article from the Chicago Tribune regarding Dr. Oz and his proliferation of medical information on both his current television show and the website that supports it.  The article leads with the header, “Celebrity surgeon’s goal is to offer ‘as much information as possible’ on health issues. But critics say that inclusive approach does the public a disservice.” 

As a brief overview, Dr. Oz is a cardiac surgeon who was a regular guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” before becoming a celebrity himself.  The Chicago Tribune article brings to light several instances where claims made through the site are not supported by medical science.  Dr. Oz’s spokespeople explain that to offer a fair discussion, they must include various voices and even controversial opinions. 

While I can certainly appreciate an open dialogue, it seems that in the interest of “entertainment” this celebrity doctor walks a fine line between the opinions of a few with the evidence of scientific research.  By the simple nature of him being a doctor himself, people will listen, which accounts for the 3.7 million viewers to his show daily.  However, the concerns I have are not with the sharing or discussing of information, or even the questioning of current medical beliefs.  It remains important to medical advancement that we use this kind of dialogue to direct us in further research to prove various hypotheses.  My concerns are that when mass media starts involving the lay people in this medical conversation, it is easy for many of us to confuse suggestion of evidence with proven research.  

Dr. Oz’s website includes small print that clarifies that his website is for “information and entertainment purposes only”.  However, I feel that it can be misleading to have information that is not substantiated by scientific evidence used for entertainment purposes.   The disservice comes when the medical profession puts celebrity status and sensational media tactics above their duty to serve the public well being.  Please read the Chicago Tribune article and let me know your thoughts.

Categories: General Info · In the News
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Join Me on My Journey as a Concerned Parent

April 8, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Every Child By Two Welcomes Christine Vara as Our

New Co-Editor on Shot of Prevention

By Christine Vara

Who am I?

Well, to sum it up, I am an educated woman with a diverse background in communications and public service.   I’m married to a wonderful man whom I adore, but rarely see due to his dedicated 25 years of military service and frequent deployments.  Fortunately, I have mastered the art of relocating, and recently completed my sixth move in 15 years (which is actually not bad as far as military families go).  Throw in the fact that I have five children between the ages of four and 13 and you can begin to imagine how my life can be complex, to say the least.

Friends and family would agree that I am an overachiever.  While I hate to admit it, I’m also a perfectionist who often struggles with the decisions that I make as a mother.  I would say that while I can make decisions, I struggle with the possibility that I might make the wrong decision, so I commonly belabor every choice.  I try to be fair in how I formulate my opinions as a mother, wife and woman in my day-to-day life.  I believe that there are two sides (or more!) to every story (which is often exemplified in how I deal with arguments between my children).  Most importantly, I believe we all have the right to our own opinions and that a healthy dialogue about our views is the key to greater understanding of any topic.  Which brings me to Shot of Prevention.

Like any mom, the birth of my first child brought about great joy and new choices that I would have to make.  Natural labor or epidural? Pacifier or no pacifier? Breastfeed or bottle feed? Vaccinate or not vaccinate? After much investigation and discussion, I realized that each choice had its own set of pros and cons. Ultimately, the decisions that my husband and I made would forever impact our own lives as well as those of our children.

Parenting choices only continue throughout your life and over the course of the past year, I have come to realize that vaccination is also a lifelong process.  Recently, my oldest child was offered the Gardasil vaccine, my youngest child received a list of immunization requirements for kindergarten and another child contracted H1N1.  I suddenly recognized that vaccines are not just something to concern ourselves with while our children are young.  This is a science that continues to evolve and with the recent  attention on current vaccine news, I am now committed to keeping myself engaged in the dialogue.

Join me on my journey

Unfortunately, what I have found is that the vaccine dialogue can be very clinical, and subsequently confusing, to those of us who are not well versed in “public health speak.”  The challenge lies in seeking out reputable sources of information to assist us in educating ourselves about the benefits, concerns and effective uses of vaccines to protect us from preventable diseases.  As parents, we decipher an enormous amount of information from doctors, scientists and public health advocates, while also being influenced by the questions and concerns of our family, friends and neighbors.  I have been familiar with Every Child By Two (ECBT) for some time now, and have consistently found this organization to be a credible source for fact-based information on vaccine safety.  For this reason, I’m honored to partner with ECBT and the Vaccinate Your Baby campaign as a contributor on this blog.  As a writer and a parent, I will be discussing these issues closely with Shot of Prevention co-editor, Amy Pisani and other ECBT staff on a regular basis.

I invite you to join me on my journey, as I attempt to make sense of the mixed messages I often hear regarding vaccines.  There have been several recent events that have prompted both confusion and curiosity for me, and I hope to reveal them to you on Shot of Prevention .Through the exposure of this blog and other social media venues, I will hopefully encourage an open dialogue where I can not only address various questions of mine, but shed light on a multitude of questions that you may have.  Therefore, please always feel free to leave a comment on my entries or submit questions for future discussion.  I promise to read each and every one of them.

Categories: General Info · Get Involved · Parent Perspective · Preventable Diseases
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Helping Colorado’s Moms Make Educated Choices About Vaccines

March 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Dawn Crawford, Communications Director at the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition.

Parents are inundated with opinions from others these days, leaving them with a myriad a questions about how to best care for their children. Is breast feeding the best or is formula okay? Give baby peanut butter or not? Co-sleeping or crib sleeping? Circumcision or au natural? Vaccinating or not?

 With all these decisions, parents have to make an educated choice. They turn to experts like pediatricians, people like their parents who have been there and done that, to educational archives like websites, and to other moms and dads who are living the whole experience with them. Parents are drawing from so many resources that it’s getting hard to differentiate what is a reliable source and what is purely hearsay.

 At the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition (CCIC), we aim to equip parents with the most up-to-date and relevant information about vaccines for their children. We know it can be a garbled world out there with lots of different talking heads and we want to cut to the facts.

 We also want parents to make a fully-educated choice about vaccinating their children. Parents who fear vaccines feel that they are not being told the whole story. They feel that the government and special interest groups are hiding data and side-effects to protect the financial bottom-line.

 At CCIC we guide parents to factual information about the whole picture of vaccines. We want them to know about the amazing benefits of vaccines and that they do save lives, but we also want them to know that science is not perfect. We want them to know about side-effects and ways that the government is working to keep vaccines safe and effective.

 In Colorado we have a liberal vaccine exemption policy. We allow parents to opt-out of vaccines for medical, religious or philosophical reasons. When entering the 2007/2008 kindergarten school year, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 6% of children were exempted from vaccines.

It might be surprising for a pro-vaccine group, but we understand and appreciate our state’s exemption policy. We want parents to make an educated and purposeful choice to vaccinate their kids. We feel that if a parent has an opportunity to opt-out, that it opens a door to more conversation and greater education by vaccine providers. It also eases parents’ fears of “big brother” forcing them to do something. In the end, it gives them a choice. This lets parents make the informed choice to be part of the solution to protect our community from disease.

In the spirit of fostering a conversation about vaccines, CCIC has teamed up with a mommy blogger to talk about all the triumphs and fears of vaccines – Colorado Mom2Mom .

Colorado Mom2Mom is a blog written by moms for moms who have questions about childhood vaccines. This blog was created to support parents who vaccinate their children and to answer parents’ questions to help them make educated decisions about the health and well-being of their children. Our mommy, Melanie, discusses all aspects of childhood vaccination including the most current science, the latest research, and the emotional decisions that parents face when vaccinating their children.

The reason we partnered with Melanie as our writer is because she is a wife, mother to two beautiful fully-immunized girls, and a vaccine advocate. She is not a doctor or a nurse, but she does have a master’s degree in public health and works for a tax-funded health district in Colorado. She has extensive professional experience with vaccine education to parents and providers across Colorado. She is passionate about childhood vaccines because she believes that they are one of the most important ways you can protect your children’s health.

More than that, Melanie is a mom who had lots of questions about her babies’ vaccines. Like so many moms, she looked to the internet and health professionals to get the information she needed to make an informed decision. She wants to share her experiences and thoughts with you. She is interested in a dialogue and wants to hear what you may be thinking about, questioning or interested in knowing about childhood vaccines.

With this blog, and many other resources, CCIC connects with parents to give them the information they need to make an educated decision about vaccines. We are keeping Colorado kids healthy! 

To learn more about how you can help keep your child healthy visit the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition at www.childrensimmunization.org. 

Editor’s Note: The Colorado Immunization Coaltion site features informative videos on a variety of topics. We thought the video entitled, “Thimerosal: Something to Worry About,” was particularly interesting.

Categories: General Info
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A Mother’s Personal Story: Get Vaccinated Against Meningitis

February 23, 2010 · 2 Comments

By Lynn Bozof

Lynn Bozof is one of five founding members of the National Meningitis Association.

It’s great news that there is now a second vaccine licensed for meningococcal meningitis.  Unfortunately, I know from personal experience that meningococcal meningitis is a killer disease.  I lost my 20 year old son, Evan, to meningitis, not knowing that his life could have been saved by a vaccine.  Evan had all the vaccines that were recommended before he started college, but no one told us about meningitis.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends routine vaccination for all 11-18 year olds and for college freshmen living in dorms, at the earliest possible opportunity.  I never thought that tragedy would strike my family, but it did.  I will never get over the loss of my son, and I don’t want others to suffer the same tragedy, as there is a safe, effective vaccine available.  Please visit the National Meningitis Association Web site, www.nmaus.org for more information.

Categories: General Info · Preventable Diseases
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Small Change Can Make a Big Difference in Haiti

January 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment

By Amy Pisani

I, like the rest of you, have been in disbelief over the devastation in Haiti.  I think the only positive thing to come out of this ordeal is the overwhelming wave of support our country has been able to offer in the midst of this tragedy. It’s truly incredible that more than $300 million has been raised in such a short window of time -  much of it via text messages and phone calls.  Unfortunately though, the relief effort does not yet have the funds to tend to the majority of people in Haiti.  I came across this article on MTV.com that actually spells out some of the tangible items that donations such as yours could be offering the people of Haiti. Even if you don’t think you have much to offer in terms of dollar amount, it’s important to realize that even the smallest amount of money goes a long way. 

This one in particular struck me (for obvious reasons) as impressive: according to UNICEF, $10 will pay for a cold-box vaccine carrier that will help ensure that vaccines reach children in remote areas to protect them from communicable disease, including the many who are stuck in temporary camps.

As you can see, every dollar makes a tangible difference in these victims’ lives. There are so many organizations out there doing great things. I hope you will take a moment to check out some of them, and hopefully support them in any way you can. The New York Times has provided a list which you can check out here.

 Below are some more impressive statistics that your donation can provide, according to the Red Cross:

 » $5 provides a water container to store clean drinking water.

» $10 provides a blanket that is appropriate to the climate and culture of the disaster-affected area.

» $25 provides a family of five with a kitchen set, giving them the ability to cook and serve food (a disaster can destroy even the most basic family possessions and restoring family’s self-sufficiency is essential). This includes two cooking pots, a frying pan, bowls, plates, cups, and utensils.

» $30 provides essential hygiene materials to five people for one month (ensuring adequate hygiene after a disaster is essential in promoting the health of those affected). This includes items like a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, toilet paper, sanitary pads, a razor and a towel.

» $60 provides tools for a family of five to build a temporary shelter: two tarps, a rope, hoe, machete, tin snips, handsaw, roofing nails, shovel, long nails, tie wire, claw hammer.

» $100 provides a cooking set, hygiene pack, blankets, and water containers for one family of five following a disaster.

» $500 provides a family tent for a family of five.

 And from UNICEF:

» Tent: For a little over $200, this tent can be used to provide life-saving shelter or to support a clinic or a school in time of crisis.

» School-in-a-Box ($200): UNICEF’s innovative “School-in-a-Box” sets up a temporary school for at least 40 children during times of emergency. Kits provide the chance for children to continue their education during the most extreme crises.

» Vaccine carrier ($10): Cold-box vaccine carriers help ensure that vaccines reach children in remote areas who need them.

» Collapsible water containers ($2 per container): Each container holds 10 liters amount of water and is especially useful for kids carrying water for long distances to ensure that all their water doesn’t spill en route from their water supply. It is also very useful for storing clean, safe water for everyday use.

» Water purification tablets (60 cents for 50 tablets): Each tablet is able to turn 4-5 liters of dirty water into water suitable for drinking. Every day, 4,000 children worldwide die because they do not have access to clean water, according to UNICEF.

» High energy/protein biscuits ($1 per pack): These contain minerals and vitamins and have been developed for malnourished children during emergencies.

» Therapeutic Nut Spread: $77.63 feeds 10 children for one month — therapeutic nut spread is a high protein, peanut-based paste, supplied in a ready-to-use packet. No water is needed for mixing, which means that help can be provided to malnourished children in any situation.

» Therapeutic Milk ($24.75/ 12 liters): A milk-based powder for treatment of severe child malnutrition, this successful formula includes added vegetable fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and boosts the chances of child survival.

» Blanket ($3): Blankets protection from the elements and provide comfort in the more dire of circumstances.

» Oral rehydration salts (7 cents for one package): This solution, containing sugar and salt, treats children suffering from dehydration caused by diarrhea. Approximately 3,500 children die each day from dehydration caused by acute diarrhea, according to UNICEF.

» Soccer ball ($5): Play brings children together and helps restore a sense of normalcy in times of crisis or emergency.

Categories: General Info · Get Involved · In the News
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