Tom Felton Joins END7 to Fight Tropical Diseases

When I first read the article by the Sabine Vaccine Institute I wanted to say something like “Draco devastates tropical diseases!”  It may be a catchy phrase but I have to respect the message that actor Tom Felton is trying to convey by becoming an ambassador for END7.

“I was inspired to support the END7 campaign when I learned how easy it was for young people to get involved,” said Felton. “By donating just a few pence, anyone can help get these treatments to people who need them most and hopefully change the future for the millions of children growing up in developing countries around the world.” ~Tom Felton

These diseases, aggravated by poverty, affect approximately 500 million children.  In fact, they affect one in six people worldwide so not only children, but also those who care for them. 

For just 50 pence (around $45 dollars) one person can be protected from all seven major NTDs for a year.  Pharmaceutical companies provide help in the form of donated meds and the local infrastructure (schools, community centers, and the like) are used to administer the treatments making this a cost-effective and easy to implement program.   It’s is wonderful when something so easily and cheaply executed can help so many people.

Tom Felton, who became an Ambassador for the cause, is going to be reaching out to the public and spreading the word, trying to get others involved.

Important information -

NTDs are a group of 17 parasitic and bacterial infections that are the most common afflictions of the world's poorest people. The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases focuses on the seven most common NTDs that account for 90 percent of the disease burden.  They disable and disfigure their victims, trapping them in disease and poverty.

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a non-profit organization of scientists, researchers and advocates dedicated to reducing suffering caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. Since its founding in 1993 in honor of the oral polio vaccine developer, Dr. Albert B. Sabin, the Institute has been at the forefront of efforts to control, treat and eliminate these preventable diseases. For more information please visit www.sabin.org

END7 was launched in January of 2012 and seeks to gather support for NTD control efforts to ask political leaders and philanthropists to increase funding for this global health issue. END7 works with global partners such as the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.   In addition they use social media to raise not only funds but awareness. 

How to learn more or join the END7 campaign, please visit END7 on Facebook or follow @END_7 on Twitter for more information.

To see the original article go to www.globalnetwork.org/tom-felton-becomes-newest-end7-campaign-ambassador