Elgin Kiwanis contribute $100,000 to eliminate maternal neonatal tetanus
In August, the Kiwanis Club of Elgin's members and friends contributed over $6,000 by hosting a progressive dinner at various downtown Elgin dining establishments. This event was the culmination of a multiyear effort to raise $100,000 in its support of Kiwanis International's and UNICEF's campaign to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus throughout the world.
Kiwanis International and UNICEF launched this campaign at Kiwanis' 2011 International Convention in Geneva Switzerland with a presentation by Jamie Lee Curtis sharing that in 39 countries MNT was needlessly taking the life of a newborn or its mother every 9 minutes. This equated to over 60,000 newborns and 40,000 mothers dying needlessly each year due to not having access to the Tetanus vaccine. She recognized that Kiwanis International, through its partnership with UNICEF, pledged to eliminate tetanus from these countries by raising $110 million.
In support of this effort in 2013, the Kiwanis Club of Elgin pledged to raise $35,250. It was noted that such an amount would result in providing vaccinations to almost 20,000 mothers and newborns and thereby saving these lives. Through various targeted "MNT" events and contributions, this amount was surpassed. Realizing there were still over 20 countries remaining where maternal/neonatal tetanus still was needlessly taking lives, the club increased its goal to $70,500 or the commitment to save almost 40,000 lives.
In May 2018, a fundraising event was sponsored by Mark and Robin Seigle which included presentations by Dr. Timothy Erickson, a Larkin graduate, and the current director of the Division of Medical Toxicology, Bringham & Woman's Hospital, Boston, Mass.; Michael Grudzinski, senior director of Global Cause Partnerships, UNICEF; Ann Updegraff Spleth, COE of the Kiwanis Children's Fund; and Jim R., president of the Aktion Club of Elgin (a Kiwanis-sponsored club for adults with disabilities).
At this event, information was shared regarding world health issues affecting children with an emphasis on those needlessly suffering and dying as a result of preventable diseases.
Attendees at this event included club members, representatives from both medical and non-profit organizations, and friends of the club.
At the conclusion of this event, almost $30,000 was donated or pledged to the campaign and it was decided that the club would again increase its commitment to $100,000.
As the result of its most recent event, the club has exceeded its $100,000 goal which is resulting in saving the lives of over 55,000 mothers and newborns.
At the same time, Kiwanis International is close to achieving its $110 million goal and there are currently 13 countries in which maternal/neonatal tetanus has not been eliminated. Some of these countries are currently undergoing validation efforts by the World Health Organization to confirm maternal/neonatal tetanus has been eliminated. It is anticipated that these validation efforts will result in other countries begin recognized as having eliminated maternal/neonatal tetanus by the end of 2019.
The Kiwanis Club of Elgin is part of an international organization that is focused on serving the children of the world. In its 99 years of service, the club has contributed well over a $1 million and thousands of service hours to Elgin-based organizations that serve children. They look forward to celebrating their 100th year of service in 2020.
For more information regarding efforts to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus or the club itself, contact Rick Poulton at (847) 977-4541 or at iigov2016.17@gmail.com.