Jamaica
This month Vitamin Angels provided Issa Trust Foundation with a large shipment of vitamins to distribute throughout several villages and remote areas of Jamaica. Volunteer medical teams consisting of emergency physicians, nurses, nutritionists, lab technicians and biomedical engineers traveled around the region providing medical services. Children were given proper checkups and their weights and heights recorded.
One of the primary concerns expressed by many of the families in Jamaica was worms. Intestinal parasites often rob undernourished children of the critical nutrients they do consume, weakening their immune systems and leading to more serious health problems. Vitamin Angels recognizes the importance of antiparasitics and often pairs distribution of Vitamin A with deworming tablets to increase absorption. 1000 doses of both Vitamin A and antiparastics were supplied to Issa Trust Foundation to assist them in their efforts to address this health concern. |
Mexico
This month Focus on Missions received vitamins from Vitamin Angels to distribute in Mexico. Focus on Missions is a university outreach program which operates a free clinic in northern Mexico. With 5 volunteer physicians and a handful of student volunteers on hand, Focus on Missions was able to address the needs of over 2,500 patients.
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Howard Schiffer Speaks at PAHO Conference in Columbia
Ministry of Health doctors, Parisitology experts, and Pan American Health Organization representatives met in Medellin, Columbia earlier this month to share their experiences and collaborate on deworming efforts in Central and South America. Vitamin Angels’ President, Howard Schiffer, spoke on the unique Public-Private partnership model Vitamin Angels has developed to address public health problems. 'We are interested in exploring additional opportunities to combine deworming and vitamin A interventions' said Howard Schiffer, 'The chance to meet with these very knowledgeable and dedicated professionals from Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Belize, Columbia, Peru, Cuba, Venezuela, and PAHO, was terrific. The reception we received was wonderful and we look forward to further dialogue on how we can work together to improve the lives of children in these countries.' |
New Videos in Guatemala & Honduras Online
Check out new videos of Howard’s trips to Guatemala and Honduras earlier this year on our website! Go to our homepage and click on the Videos tab.
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The American Charity Calendar (TACC)
Every holiday season the non-profit foundation TACC produces a distinctive charity calendar and this year has chosen Vitamin Angels as the beneficiary for the proceeds from the sale.
The non-profit TACC Foundation produces a beautiful and unique Charity Calendar each year using the artwork submitted during a special online art contest. Throughout the year the TACC Foundation invites young artists to submit their artwork via an online art gallery. The gallery is a rich and creative resource for young artists, like 23 year old Jada Fitch from Maine whose illustration was selected for the 2008 Charity Calendar.
Starting December 1st, individuals and families will be able to open the first numbered "window" on their Charity Calendar and find a picture hidden inside. Purchasers will also be treated to an entertaining daily video series running on YouTube (http://www.taccfoundation.org/youtube) that will interact with that day's Charity Calendar surprise picture between December 1–December 25.
The Charity Calendar will be sold in retail stores and on-line. Each year the proceeds are donated to a different children's charity, for 2008 TACC has chosen Vitamin Angels. For more information go to www.taccfoundation.org.
Buy the Calendar
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New to Vitamin Angels
Vitamin Angels is proud to welcome Jeffrey Brams to our Board of Advisors. Jeff joins the Board with a distinguished industry background and currently serves as the General Counsel and VP Science & International for Garden of Life, Inc. We believe Jeff will be an excellent addition to our Board and look forward to his participation in our organization! |
Ornaments for Angels
These beautiful ornaments made of art glass and mirror are handcrafted by mosaic artist PJ Hughes and adorned with the universal symbols of peace and love. $5 from each purchase will go to support Vitamin Angels. Enjoy these works of art year-round, as the perfect addition to your tree, or to give as a gift this holiday season. Ornament selection.
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Dear Friends,
Three years ago if you would have told me that Vitamin Angels would be reaching over 7 million children, infants, and women in 2008, I would have thought we had reached our zenith. Now I know we are only beginning.
As we grow, comprehending the numbers of vitamins distributed and individuals being reached may seem a little daunting, so here is how the numbers shake out; Vitamin Angels is now reaching 2.4 million children ages 12-59 months and an additional 2.2 million children ages 60 months and older are being served as part of Operation 20/20. 1.3 million women and their infants under 6 months of age are being reached via Operation 20/20 and our vitamin A program with lactating women in India. In addition, 27 million tablets of children’s daily multivitamins and 7 million tablets of essential multi-micronutrients for pregnant and lactating women have been distributed in 40 countries around the world. And finally, 274,000 doses of specially formulated 50,000 I.U. vitamin A have been donated for distribution to neonates (newborns) in Nepal and Bangladesh as part of operational research on the efficacy of delivering vitamin A shortly after birth.
The numbers are staggering and at the same time it is important to remember that it all comes down to the number 1. Watch the film The Life of Gabriel on our website and you will understand the daily reality for one child in Guatemala (representing many of the children Vitamin Angels works with around the world). The other number 1 is you – the one person who decides to make a difference today.
Your decision makes Vitamin Angels’ work possible. Without you 7 million children would be at risk of dying today. At this time of thanksgiving, and the year through, we are grateful for your support.
Best,
Howard Schiffer,
President |
Prioritizing undernutrition,
a research perspective
Earlier this year id21, an organization which provides 'research findings for development policymakers and practioners' published a report discussing ways in which the undernutrition of children and women in developing nations could be better addressed, and explored the reasons why this major health problem has not achieved priority status. The multi-segment report analyzes the issue of undernutrition from a variety of angles including, the present day situation, the long-term effects of undernutrition, the role the public-private partnership has played to date, and suggestions for further involvement. Read more |
Reducing infant mortality with vitamin A supplementation
A study conducted by researchers at the John’s Hopkins School of Public Health and published in the July 2008 edition of Pediatrics magazine reports that providing vitamin A supplementation to newborns can reduce their risk of death significantly. Read more |
Check out our NEW
Mothers Helping Mothers gift card |
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Thanks to everyone who supported our work this month!
Marshall Karp, Rick Antonelli, Len Monheit, Patrick Rhea, Robin Sydney, Joy Joseph and Paul Bolar, Loren Israelsen, Mark Blumenthal, Jeff Hilton, our amazing BOD: Bill Sechrest, Tom Aarts, Barclay Hope, Elliott Balbert, Mehbs Remtulla, Anthony Zolezzi, Clayton Ajello, Peter van Stolk, and Jeff Markel; Steve Allen, Susan Haeger, Peter Hefele, Scott Holmes, James Tonkin, Michelle Goolsby and Jeffrey Brams on our BOA. |
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