Pictured above (back row) are Key Club members Henry Shen, Viren Lad, Winston Yeh, Chris Yang, Lizzie Tu, and Key Club Advisor Christine Mac Gregor and Kiwanis Advisor Ron Orthwein; (front row) Aleena Kazmi, Sam Wu, Emily Weng, Yang Fu and Priya Lad.
Members of the Parsippany High School Key Club celebrates “Eliminate Week” May 5 through May 9 with each day of the week with a different specialized activity.
On Monday, May 5: Mothers Day – Celebrate Mother’s Day a bit early. Whether it be as small as a hug or making her breakfast, do a little something to show your mom you appreciate her. Tuesday, May 6: Paint The Town Blue – Show off your unwavering character by wearing blue to raise awareness for the Eliminate Project; Wednesday, May 7: Skip to Save – Can you go a day without something? Skip your daily cup of coffee or cookies at lunch and sue the extra change to donate to a worthy cause; Thursday, May 8: Flower Power – Still need a Mother’s Day Present? Have your club sell flowers at school and donate the proceeds towards the Eliminate project; Friday, May 9: #Elimin8 – Who doesn’t love taking selfies with their friends? Take a selfie with either a blue filter or your Eliminate Hands with #Elimin8 so we can spread the word about the Eliminate Project; All Week: Eliminate Hands – Self Eliminate Hands throughout the week and hand them up in your school to spread the word about the Eliminate Project and New Jersey’s goal.
With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. This deadly disease steals the lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year. The effects of the disease are excruciating — tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and extreme sensitivity to light and touch.
To eliminate MNT from the Earth, more than 100 million mothers and their future babies must be immunized. This requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more. It will take US$110 million — and the dedicated work of UNICEF and every member of the Kiwanis family.
Kiwanis and UNICEF joined forces to tackle iodine deficiency disorders, achieving one of the most significant public health successes of the 20th century. Now, they are eliminating MNT from the face of the Earth. And in doing so, the project will reach the poorest, most neglected mothers and babies with additional lifesaving health care. The end of this one disease means the beginning of better health for so many families.