Join In #GivingTuesday
Nov 27, 2012

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, parents eagerly snatch up sales on the latest kids’ craze and scour stores shelves for those treasured gifts and best bargains. While we try to stretch our funds in order to give abundantly, we often lose sight of how easy it is to give of ourselves. We can easily become focused on the need to acquire gifts for others, that we lose sight of the gifts that often mean the most… those priceless gifts of thanks and appreciation.
This season, Every Child By Two’s Vaccinate Your Baby team wants to show our appreciation to those of you who work so hard in support of childhood immunizations. We hope you will join us in our pledge to give to those who keep us healthy, who need our protection and who need our help.

Give to those who keep us healthy.

Every Child By Two appreciates the dedication and support of countless scientists, researchers, public health employees, medical professionals and health care workers who create, provide and promote immunizations within our communities.
Do you think the nurse likes to administer the shot that makes your child cry? Do you think the public health employee wants to report that an infant has just died as a result of a pertussis outbreak in your area? Do you think the school nurse enjoys wading through countless documents to ensure students are all up-to-date on their vaccines?
The fact is that many people work diligently to protect us from dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. So on #GivingTuesday, we want to say thank you.  
There’s no need to buy a gift or bake cookies (though I’m sure those things would be appreciated). Instead, involve your child in creating a work of art using this fun coloring page from Every Child By Two. Then simply mail it to those people who help keep your family healthy. Or better yet, hand deliver it. You might want to include your local pharmacist, health department, school nurse, family physician or anyone who gives the gift of health and immunizations.

Give to those who need our protection.

During this past weekend many people gathered to give thanks for the blessings of friends and family. Holiday meals were shared among everyone from our elderly grandparents, to our cancer fighting neighbor, to our newborn nieces and nephews. At Every Child By Two, we know that vaccinating at all stages of life can help protect family and community members who are at the greatest risk of disease.
This year, why not give the gift of protection. By vaccinating yourself against influenza and pertussis (with a current Tdap booster), you can help reduce the overall transmission of these dangerous diseases and effectively “cocoon” those who are at increased risk of complications. This #GivingTuesday, we encourage you to take the CDC Flu Vaccination Pledge and make sure to get yourself vaccinated against both influenza and pertussis to help protect everyone you come in contact with.

Give to those who need our help.

The reality is that a child dies every 20 seconds from a disease that could be prevented with a vaccine. Why? Because one in five children lack access to the life-saving immunizations that keep children healthy.
Every Child By Two has worked for over 20 years to ensure that parents in the United States not only understand the importance of getting their children vaccinated, but also have access to these vaccines. This has helped ensure that there are very few incidences of childhood death in this country. By giving a donation to Every Child By Two, you can help us continue these efforts.
While we’re proud to say that vaccines currently help save 2.5 million children from preventable diseases each year, we are committed to expanding global vaccination programs to stop the 1.5 million unnecessary deaths that still happen every year. This is why Every Child By Two has partnered with the UN Foundation’s Shot At Life campaign to ensure that all children, no matter where they live, have a shot at a healthy life.
With the help of numerous partner organizations and vaccine ambassadors – like Every Child By Two spokeswoman, actor and mom AmandaPeet – we’re advocating for improved global vaccine access, as well as a greater allotment of funds that can provide much-needed vaccines to children everywhere. You can support the Shot@Life campaign by becoming a champion for the cause. You can act, advocate and/or donate.
A $5 donation protects a child from polio and measles for life and a $20 donation provides a lifetime of immunity against four different diseases. You can even champion global vaccines by organizing a local community event to raise awareness of the issue and/or engage in advocacy efforts by contacting your state representatives. To learn more about the Shot@Life campaign and how to pledge your support, please visit their website.

There is so much that we have to be grateful for. Our children. Their health. And our ability to give thanks on this #GivingTuesday. We hope you will consider joining us in giving something to those who keep us healthy, who need our protection and who need our help.  And if you have other suggestions on ways in which we can show our gratitude on #GivingTuesday, please feel free to share them in the comments below.

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