Fleur-Revell posted on May 05, 2011 04:28
Two of New Zealand’s most famous sporting mums are fronting a campaign to help battle the biggest killer of children under five in the third world – pneumonia.
Irene Van Dyk and Susan Devoy have teamed up with Vicks for the Road to Relief campaign in conjunction with UNICEF – an initiative to raise funds to immunise children in developing countries against measles. Pneumonia is a serious and common complication of measles and kills more children than any other illness, including AIDS, malaria and measles combined[i].
But you don’t have to be a celebrity mum to do your bit – stock up on Vicks as you do every other chilly season and you won’t just be helping protect your own family from the usual sniffles and snuffles this winter.
Every time a specially marked Vicks Road to Relief product is purchased between now and August, Vicks will pay for one child in a developing country to be immunised against measles, to help in the fight against pneumonia. According to latest UNICEF figures, pneumonia kills almost two million children in developing countries every year.[ii]
Last year, the successful initiative saw Kiwis and Australians secure 2.3 million vaccinations in Bangladesh, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea – just by buying Vicks.
Silver Fern and mother of one Irene van Dyk says as a parent you always want to do the very best by your children and that includes getting them access to the finest medical attention possible.
“We are blessed in this country to be able to have access to quality medical services any time of the day or night. Some children and their families aren’t as fortunate. The Vicks Road to Relief campaign in conjunction with UNICEF is an incredible way for Kiwi families to help prevent children another world away from illness, death and despair,” she says.
“Growing up in South Africa I have witnessed first-hand the devastating effect that poverty has on families, with children often not having access to even the most basic healthcare. I am honoured to be a part of this inspirational campaign.”
“Simply by looking after your own family with Vicks you will be helping to protect a child in a developing country against this deadly disease. Buy one pack of Vicks, immunise one child – it really is that easy.”
Mother to four boys and legendary squash player Dame Susan Devoy says years spent travelling the world with her sport opened her eyes to the hardship suffered by millions of children in under-developed nations.
“Many children do not even have the basic necessities like food and shelter, let alone access to immunisations. As Kiwis we are incredibly fortunate to have the access to medical services that we do, which ensures our children can grow up healthy, happy and protected.”
“Kiwi parents really need to get behind this great initiative and show their support for children who are not as lucky as our own. The fact that all funds raised are donated to UNICEF ensures that the measles immunisations are administered in the regions where they are most desperately needed.”
The Executive Director of UNICEF NZ, Dennis McKinlay, says pneumonia is the “forgotten killer” of children and despite claiming the lives of millions of children, it receives little attention.
McKinlay says immunisation is the difference between life and death in developing countries and more needs to be done to stop the “lethal” spread of pneumonia.
“This year funds donated by Kiwis and Australians will go towards immunizing another two million children in Laos and Somalia. We really hope that families once again get on board with this initiative and help give these children access to the basic medical attention we have at our fingertips every day,” he says.
You can help by buying Vicks Road to Relief products including; Vicks Baby Balsam (RRP $9.69), Vicks Vaporub 50g (RRP $9.91), Vicks Vaporub 100g (RRP $15.32), Vicks Cough Syrup – Honey (RRP $12.77), Total Vicks First Defence (RRP $17.37), Vicks Vaporub Greaseless Cream (RRP $9.69), Vicks Inhaler (RRP $8.02), Vicks Vapodrops (RRP from $3.83) and Vicks Cough Lozenges (RRP $8.13) are available from supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide.
For more information about the Vicks Road to Relief campaign and the countries that will benefit from New Zealanders’ support this winter, visit www.vicksroadtorelief.com