Tell Senators to Save the Lives of Children & Mothers

More than 8.8 million children under five will die this year -- and every year -- from preventable and treatable diseases like pneumonia. They die because they were born in poorer countries and don't have access to simple treatments that most of us in America take for granted.

We can do something to help save these millions of young lives, and so can Congress. Members of the U.S. Senate have introduced legislation called the Global Child Survival Act of 2009 (S. 1966) that would recommit the United States to lead the way in improving children's and mothers' health by developing & implementing an integrated, comprehensive strategy, as well as expanding funding for proven solutions like antibiotics and immunizations.

Give these millions of children a stronger chance to live by urging your Senators to co-sponsor the Global Child Survival Act.

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Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

A largely invisible tragedy is happening now, as more than 8.8 million children die yearly from preventable or treatable diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and measles. Four million of these deaths occur to newborns less than one month old. That is why I strongly urge you to become a co-sponsor of the Global Child Survival Act of 2009 (S. 1966). It  would strengthen American's role in saving the lives of children and mothers in the world's poorest countries by developing and implementing an integrated, comprehensive strategy, as well as investing in low-cost, highly effective, lifesaving interventions such as vitamins, antibiotics and vaccines.

U.S. leadership has made an enormous contribution in saving children's lives over the past two decades.  Unfortunately, funding for these programs has not kept pace with the need. According to UNICEF, for example, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive: approximately 1 in every 6 children fails to reach their fifth birthday. If we can direct resources to these essential programs and make saving the lives of children a national priority, we could save nearly 6 million children each year through the extension of community-level health services in the developing world, where 99 percent of child deaths occur.

During these economic times, your support for the Global Child Survival Act is more important than ever.  It's the right thing to do for families around the world and it's the smart thing to do for American leadership in the world. Please co-sponsor the Newborn, Child, and Mother Survival Act of 2009 and help ensure that the tools we have available are put to use improving the health of children and their families. I look forward to your response on this important issue.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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