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by ARA Content
Pier 1 Teams Up with UNICEF to Help Women Around the World
(ARA) - In a time when current events have many people feeling helpless and uncertain, there are some positive ways they can connect with others and make a difference in the world.
This Mother's Day, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and Pier 1 Imports have created a program that will enable people throughout the United States to make a significant impact on the lives of women and their newborns in developing countries.
Beginning on April 21, 2003, for each purchase of a Pier 1 Gift Card of $50 or more, Pier 1 will donate $1.20 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Funds raised will provide vaccines to immunize women of childbearing age against maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) - it only takes $1.20 to immunize a woman and protect her newborns against this disease.
"The best gift you can give a mother is a healthy child and a healthy life," said Charles Lyons, President of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "We take for granted some of the most basic medical needs that are available to us here in the U.S. Unfortunately, for many women and children in developing countries, MNT is a reality that causes a swift and silent death, yet it is extremely preventable."
MNT kills more than 200,000 newborns and 30,000 mothers each year. The illness strikes when tetanus spores, found in soil everywhere, come into contact with open cuts during childbirth in unsanitary conditions. In the industrialized world, tetanus is a thing of the past, but the disease remains a major public health problem in 57 of the poorest and most remote nations on earth. More than 80 percent of infants and mothers who develop this preventable disease die within days of exposure.
"What really made an impact on me is that this illness is preventable," said Marvin Girouard, chairman and CEO of Pier 1 Imports. "Pier 1 has had a long-standing relationship with UNICEF, and we wanted to do something to help."
Pier 1 has supported UNICEF for nearly 20 years; until now, primarily through the sale of greeting cards. The new program is being launched around Mother's Day for good reason. "It provides a way to not only honor your mother on Mother's Day, but also helps thousands of newborn babies get a healthy start on life," said Girouard. "Through partnering with UNICEF this Mother's Day, Pier 1 is hoping to help make this disease history."
For more information about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, its partners or to donate to the program to eliminate maternal or neonatal tetanus, please call (800) FOR-KIDS, or visit www.unicefusa.org. For Pier 1 store locations call (800) 245-4595 or visit www.pier1.com.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts with Pier 1 Imports stores in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico; The Pier stores in the United Kingdom; and Cargokids! stores in Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and Kansas.