After the birth of her daughter last year, award-winning actress and “Ugly Betty” producer Salma Hayek is grateful for her daughter’s health and, like most mothers, wants other moms around the world to be able to share in the basic medical advances that most of us in this country are lucky enough to take for granted.
To help mothers across the globe, she has teamed up with Pampers and UNICEF to help stop the spread of life-threatening maternal and neonatal tetanus in developing nations worldwide. Hayek will serve as the North American ambassador for its “One Pack = One Vaccine” global initiative with UNICEF.
“In our own small way, this is an opportunity for moms like me here in North America to help other mothers on a global level,” said Hayek. “I’m honored to work with Pampers and UNICEF to help raise awareness of this important program.”
This month, the new mom joined Pampers, UNICEF, and Oprah Winfrey in Chicago to launch the “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign, part of a global initiative to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus ( MNT), a preventable disease that claims the lives of approximately 140,000 1 infants and 30,000 mothers in developing countries each year.
The program aims to provide 45 million vaccines for mothers in need in developing countries worldwide this spring and summer, and will support UNICEF’s efforts to eliminate tetanus in 12 African countries within the next 12 to 24 months.
“I am inspired by the ‘One Pack = One Vaccine’ program. Tetanus is a terrible disease that is completely avoidable when women of child-bearing age are vaccinated,” said Hayek, speaking about her choice to team up with Pampers and UNICEF. “Through this program, parents have the power to help supply much-needed vaccines through UNICEF simply by purchasing a pack of Pampers.”
Initially launched in 2006 in the United Kingdom and expanded to Western Europe in 2007, the “One Pack = One Vaccine” program has already helped provide more than 25 million life-saving vaccines for countries in Africa and Asia. With help from consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada this year, total global donations are expected to exceed 70 million vaccines.
Hayek serves as the North American spokesperson for the campaign and, as part of the kick-off, she made a special appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to speak about her involvement. The segment aired nationally on Monday, April 7.
Here’s how you can get involved: from April 7 through August 31, 2008, for every specially marked Pampers diaper or wipe product with a “One-Pack = One Vaccine” sticker purchased in the U.S. and Canada, Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding for one life-saving tetanus vaccine that will benefit a woman in need and her newborn. Participating products include: Pampers Swaddlers, Swaddlers Sensitive and Cruisers diapers, Easy Ups training pants and Pampers Sensitive, Swipers and Clean n' Go wipes.
You can still help if you’re not a new mom in search of diapers: those without a child in diapers are invited to visit www.Pampers.com/UNICEF to purchase a pack of diapers for a friend or family member or to donate to a worthwhile charity, while at the same time helping provide a life-saving vaccine to UNICEF.
About Tetanus:
Tetanus can be contracted during childbirth in developing countries, where women often must give birth at home in unsanitary conditions without access to adequate health care . The disease rages through newborns within days of their exposure to the tetanus bacteria and almost always leads to a swift and painful death.
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FYI: For more information on tetanus and the “One Pack = One Vaccine” global initiative: Visit www.Pampers.com/UNICEF.
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