St. Louis, Wednesday, January 23, 2008 – To increase awareness regarding the need for measles vaccinations in Africa and South Asia, and to raise the necessary funds to save children’s lives, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is seeking community partners to sell 3,500 long-stemmed chocolate roses for $2 each during the weeks surrounding Valentine’s Day. Because each measles vaccination costs less than one dollar, there is a potential to save two lives for every rose sold and provide 7,000 children with vaccinations.

 

Although measles has been virtually eliminated in the Western Hemisphere, it is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among children in Africa and Asia where nearly 600 children under age five die each day from measles. For less than $600 these children could have been easily and safely vaccinated against measles because it costs less than one dollar to vaccinate a child.

 

“The St. Louis community has provided strong support for the Measles Initiative. Last year, through this fundraising effort alone, the community purchased 2,500 roses to raise $5,000 and to provide more than 5,000 measles vaccinations to children,” said Kathy Lass, director of international services for the St. Louis Area Chapter. “This year, in an effort to protect more children from this deadly virus, the Red Cross is asking schools, businesses and community organizations to support the Measles Initiative by serving as venues to sell 3,500 roses to vaccinate 7,000 children against measles.”

 

To learn how to become a community partner or volunteer for the Measles Initiative, or to make a contribution to this lifesaving effort, the public is encouraged to contact Kathy Lass at the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2737, or log on to www.redcrossstl.org.

Each year, measles – a disease that has virtually been eliminated in the Western Hemisphere – kills nearly 242,000 people globally. Of those, most are children under the age of five. Measles is a leading vaccine-preventable childhood killer, and millions of children remain at risk. The good news is that measles can be prevented with a simple vaccination that costs less than one dollar per child.

 

The Measles Initiative was launched in 2001 as a collaborative effort led by the American Red Cross, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization. By 2010, the initiative has set an ambitious goal of cutting measles deaths by 90 percent. Already, the Measles Initiative has made a significant impact. During its first six years, the campaign was the main international supporter of mass measles immunizations and led to the vaccination of more than 478 million children, predominately in Africa.

 

From 2000 to 2006, measles deaths in Africa alone dropped by 91%, from 396,000 to 36,000 largely due to the support provided by the Measles Initiative and the international community. Building on its success in Africa, the initiative has expanded into South Asia.

 

The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter coordinates local education and fundraising related to the Measles Initiative, frequently offering presentations to community organizations. St. Louis Area Chapter Measles Initiative programming and outreach are supported in part by generous funding from Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation.

 

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 91 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 446,600 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.