At North Hollywood High School (NHHS), the members of the American Red Cross club team up to fundraise for and educate the community about the Measles Initiative of 2012.
The Measles Initiative is a partnership started in 2001 by the American Red Cross, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization. Since it began, the partnership has helped immunize over 1 billion children, and measles deaths have dropped over 75%. Although the risk of resurgence remains large, especially in the areas of Africa, at the cost of less than one dollar a shot, the initiative continues to raise funds to save more children from the fatal disease.
The American Red Cross Club of NHHS is just one of many high school clubs all over the United States that has taken the initiative to save children from Measles.
“It is truly amazing to see young volunteers that are so motivated to fundraise for measles, even though we don’t really see the disease affect those closest to us,” David Tuckman said, the regional advisor of the West Valley Red Cross district.
Many students have come up with creative ideas to raise funds, while many simply sell Measles Initiative Pins for a dollar each. The students of NHHS are looking forward to reusing a fundraising idea that the Red Cross club members of the University of California Los Angeles have used a few years ago. Students would walk around campus with dime-sized, circular red stickers on their arms and face, and aim to attract the attention of fellow peers who might be interested in donating towards the Measles Initiative or purchasing a pin. Once they donate or purchase a pin, they may then remove a red sticker from the volunteer and “save a life.”
“You get such a gratifying feeling when people actually listen to you as you explain to them about the cause passionately. It’s motivating and totally worth it,” said Bahar Golmohammadi, a junior from NHHS.
As more youth volunteers become involved in the cause to immunize children from measles, and raise awareness about its threat, the world comes one step closer to becoming a completely measles-free environment. However, although the disease has been virtually eliminated in the Western Hemisphere, it is still a leading cause of death among children in Africa and America, and therefore keeps numerous volunteers busy saving lives.
Hey Sally! I enjoyed reading your article. The American Red Cross Club at my school are also selling ribbon pins to people! It’s really nice how many young students like us can help others in unison.