News & Events

New York, NY USA (May 05, 2001) -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) have joined forces to help eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) in developing countries and to heighten awareness of this deadly but highly preventable disease through the sale of a very special card entitled, Sharing is Caring from UNICEF's Spring 2001 catalog.

In support of the MNT effort--and just in time for Mother's Day--a new greeting card entitled, Sharing is Caring is now available through UNICEF's Spring 2001 catalog. The card was designed by ten-year-old Lucia Huber-Mendez, the daughter of a BD employee in La Paz, Bolivia. Lucia's drawing was the winning entry in a children's art contest conducted in BD locations worldwide.

Lucia's softly colored drawing shows a mother bird hovering above a flowing river feeding another bird perched on a branch, while the happy sun smiles its approval. This simple depiction of a mother's love makes the card an ideal greeting for Mother's Day, the birth of a new child, or any special occasion.

BD, a global medical technology company that manufactures medical devices and diagnostic systems, has pledged over $17 million to the campaign against MNT. BD and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF are committed to eliminating MNT as a public health problem by the year 2005, and with their partners, have set a campaign goal of $100 million.

"Proceeds from UNICEF's Sharing is Caring card will give life to mothers and babies in developing countries who have yet to be immunized against this devastating killer disease," said Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Anyone can play a supportive role in helping to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus by simply purchasing a box of these extraordinary cards."

MNT claims the lives of 30,000 mothers and 215,000 newborns a year. More than 80 percent of babies infected with neonatal tetanus quickly die, but clear progress has been made in 104 of 161 developing countries where the criteria for eliminating MNT has been met. With the funds raised, the partners will support country efforts to buy and safely administer tetanus vaccines, promote the use of clean delivery kits and provide health education in 57 developing countries.

Amidst the joy of remembering and honoring mothers on this special day, UNICEF and BD give others an opportunity to support the MNT cause by offering this special greeting card. UNICEF's "Sharing is Caring" card is available from the Spring 2001 catalog. To receive a free catalog call 1-800-FOR-KIDS or write the U. S. Fund for UNICEF at 333 East 38th Street, New York, NY 10016.