The newest class of Master of Science in Global Health (MSc-GH) students have banded together to help fight the world’s leading infectious killer of young children - pneumonia. For World Pneumonia Day, the 2011 MSc-GH cohort is hosting a special event this Friday to raise awareness about this preventable disease and to raise money to vaccinateone child for every member of their group.
This Friday at 3pm, students, faculty and staff are invited to the event, which features a screening of the BBC Health Documentary “Kill or Cure: Pneumococcal Disease,” remarks from infectious disease expert Dr. Chris Woods, interactive games and prizes, and the opportunity to make a donation to vaccinate 29 children against pneumonia.
Pneumonia is the world’s leading killer of children under five, claiming one young life every 20 seconds; that’s more than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. People are invited to donate on the Duke World Pneumonia Day 2011 website. All donations will benefit the GAVI Alliance “Give Kids a Shot” Campaign.
<img data-cke-saved-src="/sites/default/files/articles/msc-thirdclass.jpg" src="/sites/default/files/articles/msc-thirdclass.jpg" "width="240""> “The 29 members of our class hope to raise enough funds to vaccinate 29 children in the developing world against the five deadliest diseases, and we are excited to already be halfway toward our goal,” said Madeline Boccuzzi, a MSc-GH student and coordinator of the event. “Raising $1,450 for the GAVI Alliance will protect these children for life and we want to mobilize the Duke community to help us in this fight!”
A $20 donation vaccinates one child against pneumonia. $50 can protect a child from the deadliest diseases through pentavalent, yellow fever, rotavirus, and pneumococcal vaccines. A $250 donation can protect an entire family.
The student-led event is an opportunity for the Duke community to show its support for making pneumonia a priority in global health. Learn more about the event and make a donation: http://bit.ly/MSc-GH2011WPD.
Food and beverages will be provided.
