The Million Moms Challenge

“Be the Change: Save a Life”, a year-long spotlight series on global health issues partially sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and broadcast by ABC News has now launched the Million Moms Challenge.

In collaboration with the United Nations, the Million Moms Challenge is bringing light to the staggering statistics surrounding children’s health, childbirth, and pregnancy issues in developing nations. For example: did you know that a woman dies every ninety seconds during pregnancy, or that eight million children under the age of five die each year from largely preventable diseases?

There are several ways to get involved in the Challenge to bring about much needed awareness to these crucial issues. You don’t have to be a mom yourself in order to be involved. Simply start by logging on to the website, MillionMomsChallenge.com. When the first 100,000 participants sign up, baby product giant, Johnson & Johnson, will donate $100,000 to several non-governmental agencies (NGO) that help moms and babies survive and thrive.

You can also make donations directly, tweet to raise awareness, or even donate your old cell phone to raise funds. These NGOs then use the funds to provide vaccines imperative for children to survive their first year and to educate both mothers and midwives on proper health and nutrition, and aspects of safe and healthy deliveries.

You can wear your support with a sterling silver necklace manufactured by single American moms of American MoJo, a socially responsible apparel company. $Ten dollars of the twenty-five dollar list price goes overseas, and the rest is contributed to the Million Moms Challenge. A win-win-win!