COMBAT DISEASES

END THE NEGLECT—FIGHT TROPICAL DISEASE

Thankfully, river blindness, hookworm and elephantiasis aren't diseases we worry about here in the U.S., but they, and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), afflict more than 1.4 billion of the world's poorest people.

Write a letter to Congress to end the neglect—support the elimination of NTDs

NTDs have terrible consequences for people and communities. They lead to blindness, disability and disfigurement. The constant threat and stigma of these diseases keep whole communities in poverty.

MOST NTDs have terrible consequences for people and communities. They lead to blindness, disability and disfigurement. The constant threat and stigma of these diseases keep whole communities in poverty.

Most NTDs are treatable and preventable. In fact, beyond the basic health benefits, NTD control and elimination strategies are the most cost effective ways to reduce global poverty. President Obama has acknowledged the importance of fighting these diseases. Now Congress needs to follow up with funding.

Tell Congress to fully fund efforts to treat and control NTDs and change more than a billion lives worldwide.

Source of Information: Care2

DEMAND WORLDWIDE ACCESS TO LIFESAVING MEDICINE

Five years ago a major tsunami struck in the Indian Ocean, causing widespread devastation. The world responded with an immediate outpouring of food and medical supplies.

This year, no headline-grabbing natural disaster struck the nation's consciousness. But that doesn't mean worldwide suffering has lessened. On the contrary, we've now reached a point where one third of the world's population—more than 2 billion people—lacks access to the lifesaving medicines and humanitarian aid they need to get through each day.

Unfortunately, when suffering doesn't make the news, it is easily forgotten.

Click here to stand up for the 2 billion people in need of medical care worldwide

We need to fight against complacency. World leaders have promised to increase aid, only to have these promises remain largely unfulfilled. It shouldn't take a disaster to get the world's attention and to provide urgently needed resources.

Add your name to the global call asking world leaders to commit to providing access to lifesaving medicine to all the world's people - whenever they need it.

Our generation has the power to provide lifesaving access to medicine and relief across the globe, and your voice will bring us one step closer to that goal.

Thanks for lending your voice!

Source of Information: The Change. org