SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Northern Nevada American Red Cross volunteers raised more than $780 as part of a global campaign to immunize children for measles in vulnerable communities world-wide at a recent fund-raiser. It costs less than $1 to vaccinate a child, so that means Northern Nevada was able to provide 780 vaccinations as 100% of the funds raised went directly to the initiative. The goal for this fund raiser was to raise enough to vaccinate all the children in a small village of around 500. The event raised enough for 1 1/2 villages which is a huge accomplishment for Incline Village where the event was held.
Students at Incline Village Middle School joined in the event with a competition called “Penny Wars.” For the competition each grade competed by contributing coins for their grade in order to receive points. Points were gained when one grade contributed more coins than the next grade. The result of the competition contributed up to an additional $100 for the measles initiative as well as educated children about measles.
“Once again, our volunteers came through with fantastic support for our partnership to immunize children against measles,” said Caroline Punches executive director of the Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross. “Their efforts are greatly appreciated and these funds will immunize an entire village.”
Launched in 2001, the Measles Initiative is a partnership led by the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which is committed to reducing measles deaths worldwide. The Measles Initiative has supported the vaccination of more than 700 million children in more than 60 countries, helping to reduce measles deaths by 78 percent (between 2000 and 2008).
The Northern Nevada American Red Cross chapter area covers 87,000 square miles with a population of more than 670,000 people. Our chapter territory is from Tonopah north, with our main chapter in Reno and branch offices in Elko, Incline Village and Winnemucca.The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about becoming a volunteer, health and safety classes, or making a donation, call 775-856-1000 or visit our website at www.nevada.redcross.org.
