END7: Protecting Our Children from Neglected Tropical Diseases
500 million children are infected with neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Instead of being able to walk to school, concentrate in class and socialize with friends, children with neglected tropical diseases suffer from severe anemia, malnutrition, fevers and intestinal pain caused by these often chronic and simultaneous infections.
END7 works to raise the awareness, political will and funds necessary to control and eliminate the seven most common NTDs by 2020.
The seven most common NTDs are:
- ascariasis (roundworm)
- trichuriasis (whipworm)
- hookworm
- schistosomiasis (snail fever)
- lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
- trachoma, and
- onchocerciasis (river blindness).
These seven NTDs represent 90 percent of the global burden of all NTDs and infect more than one billion people. Controlling and eliminating them will help empower a generation to lift themselves out of poverty.
Lend Your Voice
You can learn more about END7 by visiting www.end7.org and by joining their communities on Facebook, Twitter (@END_7) or YouTube.
100 percent of donations given to END7 will go straight to NTD treatment programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean – the three regions with the largest NTD burdens. For as little as $0.50 a day one child can be treated for an entire year.
[Tweet “We’re putting an end to 7 diseases by 2020 – become a part of the movement #NTDs #globalteamof200”]
I’m a proud member of the Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls.