Politics & Government

Palatine Mom Lobbies Congress for Life-Saving Vaccines

Jennifer DeFranco joined more than 100 other Shot@Life advocates in Washington D.C. to stress the importance of vaccines that prevent 1.5 million deaths each year.

Exactly one week ago, Shot@Life Advocate and Palatine mom Jennifer DeFranco was in Washington D.C. lobbying congress to provide life-saving immunizations for children in developing countries.

DeFranco travelled to the U.S. capitol along with more than 100 Shot@Life advocates, six of which were from Illinois.

The small group, including DeFranco met with the offices of Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL). Congressman Danny Davis ((D-IL), Congressman Brad Schnieder (D-IL) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

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“Every 20 seconds a child dies of a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine,” DeFranco said. “As a mom, I see every day how precious small moments are in our kids’ lives. Shot@Life believes each child deserves a healthy childhood, and so do I.”

For only $20, a child can receive the vaccines to protect against four deadly diseases: polio, measles, rotavirus and pneumonia. For as little as $5 a child can be protected from polio and measles for a lifetime, the release said.

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The release went on to say that with the eradication of polio within reach, support requests by Shot@Llife have gained momentum.

"The globe is currently 99% polio free. We only have 1% to go before it is completely eradicated for good. Since germs don’t need a passport and so many children around the world are unvaccinated, diseases that have been eliminated in developed countries – such as measles – can return," the release stated.

Expanding access to vaccines strengthens our ability to fight disease globally and keep our families healthy here at home, it stated.

“We’re building a movement in the United States to give children around the world a healthy shot at life,” said champion, Jen DeFranco. “The congressional meetings I had are just a small piece of the puzzle that will help give kids a shot at a first day of school, best friends and bear hugs.” Childhood vaccines are modern miracles and for the cost of a week’s worth of coffee, you can give a child a lifetime of immunity from deadly disease because every child deserves a shot at a healthy life, no matter where they live.

For more information about Shot@Life and other campaign events taking place around the country, visit ShotatLife.org and facebook.com/shotatlifecampaign

About Shot@Life 
Shot@Life, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, educates, connects and empowers Americans to help protect children in developing countries from vaccine-preventable diseases. By joining this movement, you can help save a child’s life every 20 seconds by learning about, advocating for and donating vaccines to children who need them most. Go to ShotAtLife.org to learn more.

For more information about United Nations Foundation, visit www.unfoundation.org.


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