Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer.
Today’s topic for Philanthropy Friday is something that I know is near and dear to a few of my readers’ hearts.
Newborn health is often something we take for granted here in the United States unless we are personally affected by a complicated pregnancy, premature birth or have lost an infant.
We simply don’t want to think about the horror of losing a child.
Each year, nearly 3 million newborns die around the world and 2.6 million babies are stillborn. 99% of these newborns die in low- and middle-income countries.
The major causes of newborn death are prematurity, infection, and birth asphyxia. The sad part is that the majority of newborn deaths can be prevented.
In past Philanthropy Friday posts, you’ve read Bridget’s and Alexa’s stories. Both suffered the loss of a child and both are advocating for and supporting other mothers who grieve in their own ways.
Kristine McCormick, a fellow Global Team of 200 member and author of Cora’s Story, lost her daughter in 2009. Today she is on a mission to save other babies.
http://youtu.be/ybvgqVWK60E
Watch Kristine McCormick’s video
On April 15th, the first global conference on newborn health will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 4-day conference is supported by Gates Foundation, Save the Children, MCHIP and UNICEF. The Global Newborn Health Conference aims to start conversations about the challenges countries face with newborn health, share best practices and get commitment by attendees to take action on newborn programming in their countries.
We need to have these conversations.
Will you join me in advocating for newborn health?
Here are a few ways you can help:
- Follow @gdarmsta on Twitter and retweet #Newborn2013 “Did You Know?” facts
- Follow the Advocating for Newborn Health tumblr site
- Share this and other posts dedicated to newborn health on social media
- Join the 2013 Global Newborn Health Conference through Social Media
More posts on the subject of newborn health
- What You Might Not Know About Saving Newborn Lives
- Join the Global Conversation About Newborn Health
- Continuing the Global Newborn Health and Survival Conversation
I wrote this post as part of the Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls.
