One newborn child dies from maternal and neonatal tetanus every nine minutes. It affects the poorest and most neglected mothers and children in the world.
Tetanus spores, the source of the disease, are found in soil around the globe. In the least, the consequences of contracting the disease are repetitive, painful convulsions for newborns. Survival rates are low, and tetanus usually takes the lives of both the baby and the mother. However, this disease highly preventable.
Kiwanis International, in partnership with UNICEF, is working to put a stop to this disease. Through The Eliminate MNT Campaign, donations are put directly towards the mere three doses of a 60-cent immunization required to protect mothers who in turn pass the immunity to their future babies.
The reach is worldwide, and UNICEF has helped to successfully eliminate MNT in many countries. But in 28 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, mothers and newborns with little or no access to health care are affected by this deadly disease.
The Kiwanians of New Jersey, including the Ewing branch, stood up and made history in 2013; the New Jersey District was the first to have 100% participation in The Eliminate MNT Campaign.
Through their efforts, the word is spreading and lives are being saved. According to the data, it will take $110 million to provide the vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, supplies and skilled staff needed to immunize over 100 million mothers.
More information is online at kiwanis.org.
