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Contact:

Mary Miller
Oregon Trail Chapter
(503) 528-5633, (503) 940-2019
millerm@redcross-pdx.org

Two Events in Portland to Support the Measles Initiative
Blake Schmidt shows photos taken by Mozambique children
during his Peace Corps assignment

PORTLAND, Ore. – July 13, 2005 – Fresh Pot and Urban Grind are hosting two events to help raise awareness about Portland’s Measles Initiative for Mozambique.

On Thursday, July 14 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Fresh Pot, (4001 N. Mississippi) during Second Thursday on N. Mississippi, Blake Schmidt will show a presentation called, “The World Through My Eyes” – a photo montage by Mozambique children.

Blake Schmidt served in the Peace Corps from 2001 to 2003 teaching English in Mozambique. His students, ages 13 to 23, had little opportunity to enjoy extracurricular activities. Schmidt’s photography project helped Mozambican children learn about and experiment with photography, improving their chances of receiving scholarships at a university either in Mozambique or abroad.

“Mozambique's culture and many of its traditions in music, entertainment and food are being lost or changed by hip-hop, DVDs and Coca-Cola,” said Schmidt. “Photography can be used to preserve culture and traditions by recording the present for future generations.”

The same presentation will also be given on Tuesday, July 19 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Urban Grind (2214 NE Oregon)

On June 29, Commissioner Dan Saltzman introduced a city referendum to declare July ‘Measles and Malaria Awareness Month’ in order to present a solution to one of the many problems facing Africa today. Mayor Tom Potter and City Commissioners are supporting the effort by displaying donation boxes in City Hall.

“Every day, 1,200 children die from measles in Africa,” said Saltzman. “It’s the single leading cause of vaccine-preventable death among children in Africa – more than AIDS, more than tuberculosis, and more than malnutrition.”

The initiative is orchestrated by the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter and spearheaded by Phil Busse, managing editor for the Portland Mercury. “The Measles Initiative provides an opportunity for Portland to be a part of a solution for African nations.” said Busse.

The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter is collecting donations for the established Measles Initiative – a highly effective and established partnership with the American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and World Health Organization. All of the money donated in Portland will go to the Measles Initiative.

Established in 2001, the Measles Initiative is a long-term commitment to control measles deaths in Africa by vaccinating 200 million children and preventing 1.2 million deaths over five years. More than 30 African countries are benefiting from the Measles Initiative, with 13 nations participating in the campaign in 2005.

“We were both humbled and inspired by the outpouring of donations for disaster relief,” said Mary Loftin, executive director for the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter. “In a mere six weeks, $1 billion was donated to the International Red Cross, with $2 million coming from the Portland area.

Children in Mozambique are being vaccinated this summer, and this is the country the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter has selected to support. Just $1.00 provides a measles vaccination. For $7.00, vaccinations can be provided for measles and malaria; a malaria prevention net; and vitamin A and de-worming medicine.

Make a Donation to the Measles Initiative

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters every 32 hours on average. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org.

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org