KINGSPORT — A local goal of $75,000 has been set by the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport to help rid the world of maternal and neonatal tetanus.
Kiwanis International has set a deadline of 2015 to collect $110 million to purchase vaccines to distribute in multiple countries, and the Kingsport agency plans to start its fund-raising campaign for “The Eliminate Project” in earnest on Tuesday.
“Something we’ve really been stressing with this campaign is you can save a life for $1.80, and how many lives can you save? This promises to be a vital humanitarian project that will save thousands of lives,” said Kiwanis Vice President Bill Sade.
Study information provided by UNICEF, a co-sponsor of the campaign, says a baby dies from MNT every nine minutes, and mothers in 34 countries do not have access to the vaccine that could prevent 60,000 fatalities annually.
It is caused when tetanus spores found in soil come into contact with open cuts during childbirth, causing slow, painful death that lasts for a week’s time in most cases, according to a video feature offered at kingsportsavealife.com.
That Web site also offers a link where residents can donate to the cause online through PayPal.
Walgreens pharmacies, a partner in the campaign, will have donation days in their Kingsport locations on Oct. 5 and 6, which will earn customers a discount on non-prescription items and a free gift.
Those who want to donate can also send a check to: Kingsport Kiwanis Club Foundation, P.O. Box 3506, Kingsport, TN 37664.