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Youthful Initiative, “Rock to Eradicate,” Raises Funds to Fight Measles in Africa
Young Red Cross Volunteer and U.S. Presidential Scholar organizes fundraiser and works with other Scholars to collect donations to support the Measles Initiative
Written by
Katie Lawson
, Staff Writer, Redcross.org
Thursday, July 20, 2006 — For Chris Chen, U.S. Presidential Scholar and Youth Corp President for the San Gabriel Pomona Valley American Red Cross Chapter, the Measles Initiative is a cause near and dear to his heart.
Led by the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF, the Measles Initiative was launched as a long-term commitment to reduce measles deaths in Africa by vaccinating at-risk children age 15 years old and younger. Since its launch in 2001, the Measles Initiative has successfully vaccinated more than 213 million children in more than 40 African countries.
In the International Response Operation Center at American Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C., Jeanne Greer (far right) with Red Cross International Services speaks with U.S. Presidential Scholars (left to right) Chris Chen, Matthew Rognlie and Laura Marcus about the Measles Initiative in Africa and Asia, June 27, 2006. (Photo Credit: Katie Lawson/American Red Cross)
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To support the ongoing efforts of the Initiative, 17-year-old Chen served as the Chapter Measles Coordinator and held several successful fundraisers.
In September 2005, Chen organized a battle of the bands through his local chapter called “Rock to Eradicate.” Bringing together seven rock bands and dozens of Red Cross volunteers, the event raised more than $6,000 for the Initiative.
“It was an enormous, four-month-long planning effort but that only made the success of the project more rewarding” said Chen, who is already a long-time Red Cross volunteer.
This year, as a graduating high school senior, he was chosen as a United States Presidential Scholar. Established in 1964, the Presidential Scholar Program honors academic and artistic achievement. More than 2,600 of the estimated 3 million students expected to graduate high school this year are invited to participate based on their performance on the SAT or ACT exams or through the Arts Recognition and Talent Search. Then, 141 students are then selected and honored for four days in Washington, D.C., during National Recognition Week in June.
When this year’s scholars expressed a desire to be involved in a community service project, Chen suggested the Measles Initiative. Along with fellow Presidential Scholars Matthew Rognlie and Laura Marcus, he began distributing brochures and pamphlets about the program.
During the trip to Washington in June, Chen and several of his fellow students came to Red Cross national headquarters to learn more about the Measles Initiative, which is now expanding into Asia as well, and to present their donation of $7,500 in donations, including the $6,000 raised by Chen’s battle of the bands event, in person.
U.S. Presidential Scholars Chris Chen, Matthew Rognlie and Laura Marcus are honored by American Red Cross Executive Vice President of Chapter and International Operations Alan McCurry and National Chair of Volunteers Kate Forbes during a visit to Washington, D.C., for their support of the Measles Initiative in Africa and Asia.
(Photo Credit: Katie Lawson/American Red Cross)
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While at Red Cross headquarters, the scholars met Athalia Christie, CDC Senior Technical Advisor to the Red Cross. Christie shared a presentation full of information and photos from her personal experiences working with the Measles Initiative.
The scholars also were fortunate to meet with Alan McCurry, Red Cross Executive Vice President of Chapter and International Operations, as well as Kate Forbes, the National Chair of Volunteers for the Red Cross.
“Hearing about all the groundwork going on in Asia and Africa, the large number of personnel involved from all around the world and the huge difference it has made was a deeply moving and engaging experience,” said Chen.
Even at such a relatively young age, Chen has made a considerable impact as a Red Cross volunteer. He started the Red Cross Club at his now-former high school, taught first aid courses and represented youth services before the Red Cross Board of Directors. As Chen heads to Harvard in the fall, he plans to study health policy and is looking toward a career in global health.
“The Initiative is truly global health work at its best, combining the passion of community volunteers to help their fellow human beings with the most advanced science and epidemiological strategies the world has to offer in a cost-effective, powerful way that has resulted in millions of lives saved,” he said.
For many people in the United States, measles is a distant memory as it has been nearly eliminated in the Western Hemisphere. For less than a dollar, a child can be easily and safely vaccinated against a disease that is so deadly, yet so simple to prevent. Largely due to the Measles Initiative, measles deaths in Africa have decreased by approximately 60 percent over five years.
The measles vaccination campaigns are a coordinated effort involving local governments, volunteers, health workers and communities who ensure that vaccinations reach many children in a short amount of time. These mass vaccination campaigns usually last a few days or weeks and are focused on reaching large percentages of children, including those who may be missed by existing health care services.
In addition to providing measles vaccinations, the Measles Initiative often provides insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) which are a key component to fighting malaria. ITNs are proven to be one of the best ways to protect against this disease, one of the leading causes of childhood death and disability in Africa. Many campaigns also include other components such as polio vaccinations, vitamin A and de-worming medicine.
To learn more about the Measles Initiative, visit measlesinitaitive.org or contact your local Red Cross chapter.
The Measles Initiative is a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths globally. Launched in 2001, the Initiative—led by the American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization—provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns worldwide. To date, the Initiative has supported the vaccination of more than 500 million children in 50 countries helping reduce measles deaths by more than 68% globally and 91% in Africa (compared to 2000). To learn more or make a donation, visit www.measlesinitiative.org.
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