Actress and global spokesperson for the ‘One Pack = One Vaccine’ campaign, Salma Hayek, visited moms and babies during a trip to the African nation of Sierra Leone with Pampers and UNICEF. There, she witnessed firsthand the impact of the effects of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus.

“When I traveled to Sierra Leone, I was faced with the devastation of tetanus. Witnessing the death of a newborn was unbearable. No mother should have to endure the loss of a child. No one should die of tetanus when prevention is so easy. With the purchase of specially-marked packages of Pampers diapers and wipes, we can help make a difference in saving lives. I witnessed, firsthand, how Pampers and UNICEF are working together to eliminate tetanus.” – Salma Hayek

At a press conference today in New York, Pampers was joined by actress, mother and “One Pack = One Vaccine” international spokesperson, Salma Hayek, to announce the continued success of the North American campaign, which provided funding for more than 45 million tetanus vaccines in 2008, and aims to raise funds for an additional 30 million tetanus vaccines this year. According to UNICEF estimates, 386 million vaccines are needed to wipe out tetanus in the 46 countries that have yet to eliminate the disease, and Pampers’ global goal over the next three years is to provide funding for more than half of the needed tetanus vaccines (200 million).

By purchasing specially-marked packs of Pampers diapers and Pampers wipes now through May 1, 2009, consumers in the United States and Canada automatically trigger a donation by Pampers to fund one tetanus vaccine(1) to help UNICEF protect a pregnant woman, or woman of child-bearing age, in the developing world against the disease. Funds raised from the “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign will support UNICEF’s efforts to eliminate MNT, a preventable disease that claims the lives of approximately 128,000 infants and up to 30,000 mothers in less industrialized nations each year — that’s approximately one newborn death every four minutes.

In developing countries where women often give birth at home in sometimes unsanitary conditions, they and their newborn babies are at risk of contracting tetanus — tetanus spores can pass through the umbilical cord when cut, infecting both mother and baby. The disease rages through newborns within days of exposure to the bacteria and almost always leads to a quick and painful death. However, tetanus is preventable with a series of low-cost tetanus vaccines.

As global spokesperson for the “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign, Salma Hayek traveled to the African nation of Sierra Leone with UNICEF and Pampers to witness firsthand the impact of the effects of MNT. During her trip, Hayek met with local UNICEF representatives to discuss the impact of the campaign, visiting health clinics and traveling to a rural village to observe women receiving tetanus vaccines. With the support of partners like Pampers, Sierra Leone has made great progress in the fight against MNT, and is currently one of the countries targeted to achieve tetanus elimination by the end of 2009.

The Pampers “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign is part of a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to UNICEF to help eliminate tetanus. While the North American campaign has exceeded expectations by raising funds for more than 45 million tetanus vaccines last year, the global campaign is anticipated to raise funds for 200 million additional tetanus vaccines over the next three years. The Pampers donation will be directed by UNICEF to any or all of the 46 remaining countries yet to eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus — wherever the need is the greatest and the funding will have the most significant impact.

“Just a decade ago, MNT was a major public health problem in 58 countries, and since then 12 countries have eliminated the disease,” said Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Partnerships with organizations such as Pampers have helped us see the number of tetanus-related deaths drop significantly. But there is still major work to be done to achieve our goal of zero mothers and babies dying of this horrific disease, which is so easily preventable. We are grateful that Pampers has chosen to partner with us again and are thankful for the efforts of Salma Hayek and her dedication to this important cause.”

This year, consumers can show their support of the campaign in two ways — purchasing specially-marked Pampers “One Pack = One Vaccine” products (participating lines include: Swaddlers and Swaddlers Sensitive diapers, Baby Dry and Cruisers diapers, Easy Ups training pants and all wipes), and redemption of Pampers Gifts to Grow points for a special campaign baby body suit. Parents can log onto the Pampers Gifts to Grow site at Pampers.com and for 10 points, a “Together we can help save a life” body suit will be shipped free of charge and also will trigger a donation(2) to fund additional tetanus vaccines through the “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign.

“At Pampers, we are 100 percent committed to the health and well-being of babies in absolutely every thing that we do,” said Jodi Allen, North American vice president and general manager for Pampers. “Not only are we about creating the best products to support babies in their health and development, but we are about making a difference in the lives of mothers and babies around the world. We have incredible passion for the Pampers ‘One Pack = One Vaccine’ campaign — both as a company, but also personally with many employees and parents that have embraced and contributed to this campaign because it has touched their hearts and is truly making a difference in saving the lives of mothers and their babies.”

In addition to affecting the employees of Pampers, the program has reached various groups and individuals across the country. Broadway Kids Care, an organization made up of Broadway child stars in New York City, raised money through performance and bake sales for the cause. Across the country in California, a teenager and her two younger sisters took out their neighbors’ trash to raise money to support the program. Last but not least, Stroller Strides, the country’s largest and fastest-growing exercise program for new moms and their babies, has adopted the “One Pack = One Vaccine” program as its umbrella cause for 2009.

(1) For every specially marked pack of Pampers Diapers and Wipes purchased in the U.S. and Canada, the Pampers brand will donate US$.07 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help provide one tetanus vaccine to a pregnant woman or a woman of child-bearing age in the less industrialized world. UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product. No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible. Pampers’ total donation is anticipated to exceed $2 million.

This winter/spring campaign is part of Pampers’ global, multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to UNICEF that is supported by Pampers moms and dads, one pack at a time.

(2) For every Pampers baby body suit manufactured for the “One Pack = One Vaccine” program, the Pampers brand will donate U.S.$.07 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help provide one tetanus vaccine to a pregnant woman or a woman of child-bearing age in the less industrialized world.

About Pampers(R)

Pampers is a trademark of Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and the company’s largest global brand and is the world’s top-selling diaper brand. Our business is inspired by babies and toddlers, created by Pampers. For more information on Pampers and the Pampers Parenting Institute, visit www.pampers.com.

About Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R), and Braun. The P&G community consists of over 135,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About UNICEF

For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leading international children’s organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.

Read more about Salma Hayek’s involvement with UNICEF and other causes here.

Source: PR NewsWire