Photo from 2007 story, "Mormon Young Adults Help to Eradicate Measles in Guatemala"
A recent Deseret News article comments on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ (Mormon) role in helping to rid the world of measles. This is in light of an Associated Press story that states measles deaths worldwide dropped dramatically from the years 2000 to 2010.
Since 2003, the Church has donated several million dollars to support a worldwide initiative that would provide measles vaccinations to children in 40 countries. The Church has worked with the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Since the Church joined the Measles Initiative and Partnership in 2003, thousands of Church members have helped in the effort to eliminate the disease. Approximately 56,000 Church members around the world have provided more than 600,000 hours of service in 32 countries in Africa, Asia and Central and South America.
This is a break, Deseret News contributor Lane Williams says, from daily news reports that often show the darker side of humanity.
“While we hear about malfeasance and war, inefficiency and startling corruption, smart, caring people from many organizations, including [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], do make a difference,” Williams says. “This is news worth celebrating.”
The Church’s participation in the measles vaccination initiative is a reflection of the fact that “a life of committed, generous sacrifice is the essence of what it is to be a Latter-day Saint,” Williams says.
Read the entire article at DesNews.com.
Related Resources:
- Measles Vaccination Campaign: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/measles-vaccination-campaign
- Members Assist with Measles Initiative: http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/01/members-assist-with-measles-initiative?lang=eng
- Pure Religion (Mormon Newsroom commentary): http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/pure-religion
- Publicizing Good Works (Mormon Newsroom commentary): http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/publicizing-good-works