Thanks for voting!

Thanks to all of you who voted for WWHI in the American Giving Awards. We didn't win, but we did garner a lot of wonderful support. We especially want to thank Chase Community Giving for selecting us as one of only 25 charities nationwide eligible to participate. Thanks, also, to:

*Deseret News
*KSL.com
*gDiapers
*Chez Larsson blog
*Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
*Our Facebook fans

And many other loyal supporters who emailed friends, posted on their social media sites, and cheered us on. Thank you!

Why I voted for WWHI

Today, I remembered Awa.

I first saw Awa's face and heard her story more than a year ago. This courageous woman from rural Senegal nearly died giving birth on a dirt floor -- all alone. Awa hardly remembers the bumpy motorbike ride over mountains and rivers to the nearest health post. Nor does she remember the two days there and how expensive it was -- almost $2 per day. She's forgotten about how she returned to her hut, curled up on the dirt floor, and nearly bled to death from a postpartum infection.

But I remember.

Unfortunately, this story is not uncommon in rural Senegal. In fact, it's not uncommon in a lot of places. Every 90 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from pregnancy or childbirth related complications. This staggering statistic seems futile, except for when I encounter organizations like WOMEN'S WORLD HEALTH INITIATIVE.

In just a few years, WWHI has already begun implementing life-saving programs for women like Awa. Here are just a few of the many ways WWHI is making a difference:

• Supplying health posts with essential equipment, such as basic suturing kits, hand-held Dopplers that monitor a fetus's heart, and mobile ultrasound machines.
• Empowering girls and women by offering classes on topics ranging from life skills, sexual reproduction, hygiene and nutrition.
• Partnering with local healthcare workers and companies to undergo large-scale studies on anemia, a major contributor to poor pregnancies.

WWHI is now competing for $1 million in the American Giving Awards presented by JP Morgan Chase. Winning Round 1 gives a minimum of $125,000 and a chance at $1 million in Round 2. I support WWHI, and hope you'll do the same.

Help WWHI win $1 million. VOTE NOW.

(And spread the word!)

Please help us win $1 million

Last week, WWHI was selected as one of only 25 charities in the U.S. to be eligible to receive up to $1 million from Chase! With just three mouse clicks, you can help in a HUGE way. Please vote now to make a difference for women in West Africa (and tell your friends, too). Thanks!

WWHI recognized by Chase Community Giving

Executive Director Dana Allison shares the successes and challenges of our work in Senegal.

Thanks to Chase Community Giving for giving us the jumping off point to implement our programs and move courageously in the direction of change for women and communities.

Invest in women, change the world

Donor: Jacque Ramos
Profession: Lawyer
Hometown: Salt Lake City

I'm deeply committed to using my resources to empower women and make the world a better place. I seek to support organizations that are innovative and cause true and sustainable change. I've found all of these criteria and more in WWHI.

WWHI's goal is to give women in poor countries access to basic healthcare. In only three years, WWHI has already begun developing programs to bring sustainable care to women in West Africa. Impressive strides!

Please join me in supporting WWHI today. Investing in women pays.
http://www.wwhi.org/get-involved/donate/

Thank you,
Jacque Ramos

Save a life this Mother's Day

According to the National Retail Federation, some $14 billion will be spent in the United States for Mother's Day. That includes $2.9 billion in meals, $2.5 billion in jewelry and $1.9 billion in flowers. To put that sum in context, it's enough to pay for a primary school education for all 60 million girls around the world who aren't attending school. There would be enough money left over for programs to reduce deaths in childbirth by about three-quarters, saving perhaps 260,000 women's lives a year.

This year, give your Mom something truly meaningful by purchasing a beautiful gift from WWHI and, in turn, helping other mothers around the globe.

Mother's Day: Mission Accomplished

For the past couple of weeks, "Mother's Day gifts" lingered on my to-do list. Until this past weekend, when I decided to save myself some time and hassle by clicking on WWHI's Mother's Day page. I bought some beautiful (and tasty) gifts for my mom and sisters.

Check.

Ahh, I love that feeling of checking something off of my to-do list. And even more, I love the idea of giving a gift that not only pampers the amazing women in my life, but also helps mothers survive childbirth in one of the world's poorest countries.

One of my sisters, who has four adorable little girls, had her own unique challenges giving birth to her youngest child, and I know this gift will mean the world to her.

So...what are you waiting for? Shorten your to-do list, love the women in your life, and do some good by visiting wwhi.org today.