Dear Club Presidents: Today, in a remote village in Cambodia, a baby is born. Unknowingly, tetanus is introduced in the baby’s system during the delivery. Tomorrow and in the coming days, the baby will suffer spasms, stiffness and arching of the spine. Later this week, the baby’s spasms will develop into convulsions, triggered by the slightest sound, touch or light. By next week, the baby will die a torturous and tragic death. This is maternal and neonatal tetanus or MNT. It kills one newborn baby every nine minutes. There are tragedies such as this occurring every day all over the world. However, this is a tragedy that has a solution. Deaths from MNT are preventable. It takes just three doses of a 60-cent tetanus vaccine to protect mothers and their future babies from MNT. Through The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus, we will raise the funds needed to provide targeted outreach and life-saving vaccines to 129 million women in the world’s poorest, most remote areas. Together with UNICEF and their partners, we can eliminate MNT. We will do this by raising US$110 million through our fundraising campaign. It is our opportunity to change the course of history for a second time. You will be hearing a lot more about The Eliminate Project over the next few years. But right now you and your club can help eliminate MNT in countries like Cambodia and Madagascar. Your early support also will provide important early momentum to our campaign. We are grateful for any support your club might be able to provide at this time. Clubs who are able to send US$2,000 or more to the Kiwanis International Foundation, designated to Eliminate, prior to our international convention in Geneva, will receive special recognition. Most importantly, this gift can help save and protect more than 1,100 lives.
There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the Kiwanis family. This is the beginning of our incredible journey to eliminate a deadly disease. We recently appointed our campaign chairman, vice chairmen and international committee to lead the fundraising campaign. The Eliminate Project’s worldwide fundraising efforts will officially begin during the international convention in Geneva and conclude in 2015 as we celebrate our 100th anniversary. Together, over the next four years we will grow and strengthen our Kiwanis family, place Kiwanis on the world stage and help solve a global problem. Together, we can help ensure women and newborns around the world no longer suffer from MNT. Together, we can change the world. Yours in service, | 
