Sussex County Red Cross joins worldwide malaria initiative

Newton - The Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross will support the worldwide “Malaria No More” initiative launched last week at a White House Summit hosted by the President and First Lady. “African children are dying from a disease Americans can help prevent,” the White House said. In fact, according to the Red Cross, every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria in Africa. That’s nearly 3,000 children every day, almost one million deaths a year—from a preventable disease. It helps explain why the American Red Cross has become a founding partner of Malaria No More, a non-profit network of organizations in the United States and globally whose mission is to ignite a grassroots movement of individuals and private sector institutions that will end malaria deaths, through education, prevention and treatment. According to Patricia Day, Executive Director of the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the chapter’s Youth Council will help lead a program designed to raise money for life-saving mosquito nets. “The key thing is malaria is a preventable disease. But it requires the right tools along with education on when and how to use them. Our staff members, and volunteers, want to support this initiative and are in the process of planning our support. We expect to be able to provide more specifics after the New Year,” she said. The recently-launched 2006-07 Sussex Red Cross Youth Council will be involved in programs ranging from the national American Red Cross Malaria No More Initiative, Red Cross services to American military personnel around the world, and local community service programs, including blood drives. Youth members are interested in community service and helping others, as well as becoming acquainted with the lines of service (disaster services, health and safety services, blood services, senior services, and military services) offered by the American Red Cross. The chapter’s Youth Council will be trained in basic disaster classes and will be taught to teach basic first aid. They will also be involved in other programs aimed at younger children. “This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved with our community through becoming an American Red Cross Youth Council volunteer. The experience will foster maturity, Knowledge and leadership development, and kids will gain the satisfaction which comes from helping those in need,” said Carol Lee Spages and Sherry Clain, Youth Council directors, who noted membership is open to students from seventh through 12th grades in Sussex County (email: youthservices@sussexredcross.org). For more information, contact Ron Marin, Public Relations Associate, at the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 93 Spring St., Newton, NJ 07860. Telephone is (973) 579-1600 (ext. 25). E-mail is rmarin@sussexredcross.org or visit the web site at www.sussexredcross.org.