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On Nov. 1 Katie Weisgerber and Robin Mann are running the ING NYC Marathon!
We're not sure exactly what a marathon is, but apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild.
We will be running to raise money for the training of doctors, nurses and other health workers in Tanzania.
To put it in perspective:
In NYC, there is 1 doctor for every 200 people.
In Tanzania, there is one doctor for every 30,000 people.
The situation is the same throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. There just aren't enough doctors, nurses and other health workers to deliver the needed care.
The Touch Foundation has been addressing the severe shortage of health workers in Tanzania since 2004. They have trained over 1,500 doctors, nurses and other health workers in a rural region of the country – where the problem is most challenging. They also focus on key bottlenecks for quality health care, including management of hospitals and clinics, referral procedures, drugs, equipment, and transportation. Tackling these issues is more like running a marathon than a sprint; the road is long, but the results are gratifying. In the end, these health workers will save thousands of lives – men, women and children who might otherwise die from malaria, TB, HIV and other treatable conditions.
The Touch Foundation’s participation in the NYC Marathon is part of a new “Who Cares?” Campaign that developed to mobilize volunteers. The Campaign already has more than 5,000 followers on Twitter! Check it out: whocarescampaign.org.
Donating through my page here on Firstgiving.com is fast and secure. It is the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts for the Touch Foundation.
Just click on "sponsor me" at the top of this page. Every little bit helps! I know that many of you are facing tough times. Your donation of $5, $10, or whatever is doable, will go a long way. Our goal is to raise $5000.
Your tax-deductible donation will go directly to the Touch Foundation. You will receive a notification from Firstgiving soon after your donation acknowledging your contribution to the Touch Foundation. Many thanks for your support -- please to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate, too!
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