Aug 30, 2013

Alcohol and Pregnancy Advice in New Book is Flawed and Harmful



 A new book, Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong-and What You Really Need to Know, misrepresents the risk of alcohol use during pregnancy by concluding that light drinking is completely safe, according to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS). 

The book ignores research such as a 2011 study in Alcohol Research & Health that found drinking at low to moderate levels during pregnancy is associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and sudden infant death syndrome.

A 2012 study in International Journal of Epidemiology states, "Even low amounts of alcohol consumption during early pregnancy increased the risk of spontaneous abortion substantially."

"Fortunately, not every pregnant woman who drinks alcohol will have a child adversely affected," says NOFAS President Tom Donaldson. "If the book's author, Emily Oster is willing to tolerate the risk, that's her choice, but it's irresponsible to encourage other pregnant women to take the risk with their children."

Dr. Edward P. Riley, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and Director of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders added, "I find it amazing that Dr. Oster wants to take on the responsibility of assuring women that it is OK to have 'A glass of wine or so a day' while pregnant. She acknowledges that 'all drinking isn't created equal,' but fails to recognize that all women are not created equal either. Individual genetics, drinking habits, and other factors limit science from making the sweeping assurances that Dr. Oster appears willing to endorse."

The book contends, "It's fine to have the occasional glass of wine – even one every day – in the second and third trimesters." This is not without risk says Dr. Michael Charness, Chief of Staff of VA Boston Healthcare System and a professor at Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine, "We've been able to show very striking effects of alcohol on the L1 cell adhesion molecule, a critical molecule for development, at concentrations of alcohol that a woman would have in her blood after just one drink."

The U.S. Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and all professional medical associations advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects.

Learn more about alcohol and pregnancy at www.nofas.org or contact Tom Donaldson atdonaldson@nofas.org, 202-785-4585.

SOURCE National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome


Web Site: http://www.nofas.org 

Aug 28, 2013

Novartis begins shipment of seasonal influenza vaccines to US market


Novartis announced today that it has begun shipment of its seasonal influenza vaccines to customers in the US market for the 2013-2014 season. Novartis plans to ship a minimum of 30 million doses of its influenza vaccines to the US market, including Fluvirin (Influenza Virus Vaccine), approved for use in people 4 years of age and older, and Flucelvax (Influenza Virus Vaccine), approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older. In clinical studies, both vaccines demonstrated safety and were shown to help protect against WHO-identified strains of the influenza virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine seasonal influenza vaccination for all individuals 6 months of age and older. In addition, the CDC advises that it is especially important for certain high-risk groups to receive an influenza vaccine each season, including: people over the age of 50; children under the age of 5; people with chronic illnesses; people with immunosuppression; and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities1,2.

"Last year's flu season, which peaked early and was intense, is a significant reminder of the importance of annual seasonal flu vaccination," said Dr. William Schaffner, professor of medicine and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, Tennessee. "The CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for all adults, and getting a flu vaccine is an important step in protecting one's health."

Novartis plans to complete the majority of shipments of Fluvirin and Flucelvax by October, in advance of the peak of influenza season. The Novartis portfolio of influenza vaccines helps to ensure diversity of supply to help meet demand and offers providers and consumers options for flu vaccination.

"Each year, Novartis is proud to help meet a significant public health need by providing its seasonal flu vaccines to enable healthcare providers and pharmacists to help protect individuals and families from the flu," said Brent MacGregor, President of US Vaccines and Head of Region North America. "We are pleased to offer a portfolio of flu vaccines that includes Flucelvax, which reflects how we are rethinking flu vaccination with a new approach to vaccine production and which offers a choice to consumers."

Flucelvax is manufactured using innovative cell-culture technology, a process that differs from the traditional influenza vaccine manufacturing process, which occurs in chicken eggs. Cell-culture technology offers several potential benefits, including flexibility in the manufacturing process, creating potential for rapid scalability in the event of a pandemic, and an alternative flu vaccine supply. Flucelvax does not contain any preservatives or antibiotics.

About Seasonal Influenza Seasonal influenza is a highly communicable, acute viral infection that predominantly attacks the respiratory tract and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and can sometimes lead to complications and death3.
The number of people in the US who die every year from influenza and its complications could be comparable to the more than 40,000 people in the US who die each year from breast cancer, and to about half of the estimated 73,000 people who die annually of diabetes and its complications each year in the US4,5.

About Fluvirin & Flucelvax For the 2013-2014 season, Fluvirin and Flucelvax contain antigens that target three influenza virus strains identified by World Health Organization (WHO) experts as likely to dominate circulation this winter.
For Fluvirin, these include6:
  • A/Christchurch/16/2010, NIB-74 (H1N1) (an A/California/7/2009-like virus)
  • A/Texas/50/2012, NYMC X-223A (H3N2) (an A/Victoria/361/2011-like virus)
  • B/Massachusetts/2/2012
For Flucelvax, these include7:
  • A/Brisbane/10/2010 (H1N1) (an A/California/7/2009-like virus)
  • A/Texas/50/2012, NYMC X-223A (H3N2) (an A/Victoria/361/2011-like virus)
  • B/Massachusetts/2/2012
FluvirinFluvirin (Influenza Virus Vaccine) is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons 4 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine6.

Fluvirin is contraindicated for individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to egg proteins, or any component of Fluvirin, or life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations6.

In clinical trials, the most common adverse events in adults were headache, fatigue, injection site reactions (pain, mass, redness, and induration), and malaise. These adverse events were generally mild/moderate and transient8.

FlucelvaxFlucelvax (Influenza Virus Vaccine) is an inactivated vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine.  Flucelvax is approved for use in persons 18 years of age and older7.

Flucelvax is contraindicated for individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine7.

The safety and efficacy profile of Flucelvax is comparable to other seasonal influenza vaccines.

Solicited adverse reactions are similar to those observed with administration of other seasonal influenza vaccines. 

Overall, in clinical studies, the most common (>10 %) solicited adverse reactions occurring in adults 18 to 64 years within seven days of vaccination with Flucelvax were pain at the injection site, erythema (redness) at the injection site, headache, fatigue, myalgia and malaise. The most common (>10 %) solicited adverse reactions occurring in adults 65 years of age or older within 7 days of vaccination were erythema at the injection site, fatigue, headache and malaise7

For more information about Flucelvax, please visit Flucelvax.com.

Important Safety Information: Fluvirin 8Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been observed in people receiving Fluvirin Influenza Virus Vaccine. In clinical trials, the most common adverse events in adults were headache, fatigue, injection site reactions (pain, mass, redness, and induration), and malaise. These adverse events were generally mild/moderate and transient. Vaccination with Fluvirin vaccine may not protect all individuals who are susceptible to influenza. Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a reduced immune response to Fluvirin vaccine. If Guillain-Barre syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of prior influenza vaccine, the decision to use Fluvirin vaccine should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. All people, including those who are pregnant, nursing, and/or taking other medications, should consult their healthcare providers before receiving Fluvirin vaccine.

Important Safety Information: Flucelvax 9Warnings & Precautions
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS): If GBS has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of a prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give FLUCELVAX should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.
  • Latex: The tip caps of the pre-filled syringes may contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.
  • Preventing and Managing Allergic Reactions: Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of the vaccine.
  • Altered Immunocompetence: After vaccination with FLUCELVAX, immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a reduced immune response.
  • Limitations of Vaccine Effectiveness: Vaccination with FLUCELVAX may not protect all vaccine recipients against influenza disease.
Most Common Adverse Reactions
  • The most common (>10 %) solicited adverse reactions occurring in adults 18-64 years of age within 7 days of vaccination with FLUCELVAX were pain at the injection site, erythema at the injection site, headache, fatigue, myalgia  and malaise.  The most common (>10%) solicited adverse reactions occurring in adults >65 years of age within 7 days of vaccination were erythema at the injection site, fatigue, headache and malaise.
DisclaimerThe foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "begins," "plans," "offers," "has begun," "potential," "could," or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future revenues from Fluvirin and Flucelvax. You should not place undue reliance on these statements.  Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results with Fluvirin and Flucelvax to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Fluvirin or Flucelvax will achieve any particular levels of revenue in the future. In particular, management's expectations regarding Fluvirin and Flucelvax could be affected by, among other things, unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; competition in general; government, industry and general public pricing pressures; unexpected manufacturing issues; unexpected clinical trial results, including unexpected new clinical data and unexpected additional analysis of existing clinical data; the company's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; the impact that the foregoing factors could have on the values attributed to the Novartis Group's assets and liabilities as recorded in the Group's consolidated balance sheet, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About NovartisNovartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2012, the Group achieved net sales of USD 56.7 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.3 billion (USD 9.1 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 131,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit 

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis.

References
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts About Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine.February 13, 2013. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed on June 26, 2013.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary* Recommendations: Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices—(ACIP)—United States, 2013-14. August 20, 2013. Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/2013-summary-recommendations.htm. Accessed onAugust 20, 2013.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine.February 13, 2013. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.  Accessed on June 26, 2013. 
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breast Cancer Statistics. December 20, 2012. Available at: www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/statistics.  Accessed on June 26, 2013. 
  5. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Fact Sheet, United States2005. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2005.pdf.  Accessed on June 26, 2013.
  6. Fluvirin Package Insert. 2013.
  7. Flucelvax Package Insert. 2013.
  8. Fluvirin Important Safety Information. 2013.
  9. Flucelvax Professional Important Safety Information. 2013.
Novartis Media Relations


Julie Masow
Novartis Media Relations
+1 212 830 2465 (direct)
+1 862 579 8456 (mobile)

Liz Power
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics
+1 617 871 7985 (direct)
+1 617 583 3015 (mobile)
SOURCE Novartis


Aug 26, 2013

Heifer International Hosts 2nd Annual "Beyond Hunger: A Place At The Table" To Help End World Hunger And Poverty Honoring Special Guest: Susan Sarandon


Heifer International will host the 2nd Annual "Beyond Hunger: A Place at the Table," gala event on September 19, 2013 at the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. This year the event will honor Academy Award-winning actress, Susan Sarandon, for her commitment to Heifer International in its efforts to end world hunger and will feature a performance by country music trio, The Band Perry. The event will be co-hosted by Geena Davis, Jon & Kirsten Heder,Eva Amurri Martino & Kyle MartinoIan Somerhalder, Dr. Heather RichardsonLaura Turner Seydel and Keisha Whitaker. Proceeds from the evening will directly benefit Heifer's mission to end hunger, poverty and protect the Earth.

Demonstrating her commitment to promoting and advancing the mission of Heifer International, Susan Sarandon advocates for Heifer through field visits, events and speaking opportunities.  In 2011, Sarandon traveled with her daughter, Eva Amurri Martino, to Cambodia to witness first-hand Heifer's fieldwork including participating in a Passing on the Gift® ceremony where families pass on the first female livestock offspring to another community member in need.

"I have followed and supported Heifer International's work with women and their families for more than 20 years. I had the chance to see Heifer's work in person in Cambodia, and see the importance of Heifer's transformational work with women. Women, particularly in poor rural communities, really are the 'glue' and the key to ending global hunger and poverty," said Susan Sarandon, this year's honoree.

Making the evening even more unforgettable, guests will be treated to a performance by country superstars, The Band Perry.  The Band Perry – comprised of siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry – first gained recognition with their #1 hit "If I Die Young," which went quadruple–platinum and captured the attention of the mainstream music audience as well as country music fans.  Since then, the trio has won numerous awards and notched a string of hits, including their most recent #1 singles "Better Dig Two" and "DONE." from their latest album PIONEER, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart and #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart in April.  Later this year, the band will embark on their first-ever headline arena tour, including stops throughout EuropeCanada and the U.S.
Heifer International works with smallholder farmers in more than 40 countries, providing gifts of livestock and training to empower self-reliance and ensure nutritional and economic security. Since 1944 Heifer International has assisted more than 18.5 million families—79 million people—move from poverty to prosperity with the help of supporters including Susan Sarandon. Heifer project participant families are trained in eco-friendly agriculture and how to properly care for their livestock and living assets, to improve not only their lives, but their communities as well.

"Imagine a world where women are finally empowered to be the primary actors to ending poverty and hunger," said Pierre Ferrari, president and CEO of Heifer International. "In the developing world, where much of Heifer's work takes place, women are responsible for 80 percent of food production. Yet, they own less than 1 percent of the land and are still struggling to have equitable, family-focused control of family resources. This situation is in many ways intolerable and we know that progress is astounding if changes are realized within communities and women themselves.  Heifer is making this a reality everyday.  With the right support, encouragement and training, women lift their families and communities out of hunger and poverty and they will feed this hungry world of ours."
In turn, Heifer families agree to "Pass on the Gift," by presenting the first female offspring of their gifted livestock–and the training in its care–to another family in the community. With that, the gift of a single goat can soon become four goats, then eight goats, then 16 goats, helping even more families struggling daily to escape hunger and poverty. This not only extends the impact of the original gift, it allows a once impoverished family to become donors and full participants in their community's sustainable development.

For Heifer International, women are the backbone of agriculture, and the key driver of food production. Worldwide, women farmers outnumber male farmers by a few percentage points. However in developing regions, the figure is much higher. In Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, 60 to 70 percent of farmers are women.  Given help, tools and training to enhance food production and the chance to build assets and income, these women will help feed the world.

This year's dinner committee is comprised of an outstanding list of prominent entertainment figures, including: Jeff Bridges, Mehcad Brooks, Janie BryantTy BurrellColbie CaillatTed Danson & Mary SteenburgenMia FarrowMark FeuersteinJane FondaAmanda FullerNina JacobsonAllison Janney,Jane KaczmarekBillie Jean KingDiane LaneBonnie RaittJimmi SimpsonOctavia Spencer, Ashley &Ryan StoneSerinda SwanMichael WelchForest WhitakerDan Zanes and Josh Zuckerman

The event will be sponsored by Yamaha Entertainment Group of America, Poe Travel, and Variety.
To purchase tickets to the event, please visit: heifer.org/beyondhunger.   

About Heifer InternationalHeifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 40 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

SOURCE Heifer International

Web Site: http://www.heifer.org 

Aug 10, 2013

“Hallelujah Diet” by George Malkmus, Peter Shockey, and Stowe Shockey



Nowadays being thin has become more important than being healthy. Drastic diets are promoted and encouraged, people being oblivious to the risks they imply. In a society like ours, continuously preoccupied with weight loss and being as skinny as possible, a new approach to dropping the pounds has been created.
Based on Biblical teachings and backed-up by scientific research, “Hallelujah Diet” is the result of authors George Malkmus’s, Peter Shockey’s, and Stowe Shockey’s combined efforts and knowledge. The beneficial effects of this diet on both body and mind are attested in the book by doctors’ comments and by the testimonials of those who have followed the “Hallelujah Diet”, successfully overcoming cancer, diabetes, depression, and many other health issues.
One of the many positive aspects of this diet is that its main focus is on health and not on quick weight loss. Returning to eating organic whole foods, while avoiding highly processed products which are packed with salt, hidden sugars, and other preservatives – this is one of the key elements to creating a healthier lifestyle. The authors strongly believe in the healing power of eating right, and they also encourage exercising regularly, spending time in nature, and also allowing our bodies time to rest and recover.
“Hallelujah Diet” is like a pack of goodies – it comes with eating plans, it offers great recipes, journals, worksheets, and it even includes a list of recommended books. Although implementing all these changes into your lifestyle may seem a real challenge, this book will make every aspect related to the betterment of your lifestyle a whole lot easier to understand and to apply.
Grab your copy of “Hallelujah Diet” and see your life improving as you feel happier, healthier, and more energetic. This may be the new beginning you've been waiting for – the beginning of a better you.
Find “Hallelujah Diet” on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1eyNTym 

Living to 120 and Beyond

 If new medical treatments could slow the aging process and allow people to live decades longer, to at least 120 years old, would you want to have the treatments? A new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that most Americans (56%) say "no" – they, personally, would not want treatments to enable dramatically longer lives. But roughly two-thirds (68%) think that most other people would choose to live to 120 and beyond.

The survey explores the public's attitudes toward aging, medical advances and what some biomedical researchers call "radical life extension" – the possibility that scientific breakthroughs someday could allow people to live much longer than is possible today. Overall, more Americans think dramatically longer life spans would be bad (51%) than good (41%) for society.

The public also tends to view medical advances in general as good (63%) rather than as interfering with the natural cycle of life (32%). And the public is optimistic that some extraordinary breakthroughs will occur in the next few decades. For example, about seven-in-ten Americans think that by the year 2050 there will be a cure for most forms of cancer (69%) and that artificial arms and legs will perform better than natural ones (71%).

But there is skepticism that radical life extension will be possible anytime soon. Only a quarter of U.S. adults think that by 2050 the average American will live to be 120 years old; nearly three-quarters (73%) say this either "probably" or "definitely" will not happen. And, if it does happen, many Americans foresee both positive and negative consequences for society.

These are among the key findings of a new, nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project. The survey was conducted March 21-April 8, 2013, on cell phones and landlines, among a nationally representative sample of 2,012 adults. The overall margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

Together with the survey results, Pew Research is releasing two accompanying reports. "To Count Our Days: The Scientific and Ethical Dimensions of Radical Life Extension" presents an overview of the scientific research and the emerging ethical debate. "Religious Leaders' Views on Radical Life Extension" describes how some clergy, bioethicists, theologians and other scholars think their religious traditions might approach the issue.

The full reportbackground essay and views of religious leaders, along with an interactive, are available on the Religion & Public Life Project's website.

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take policy positions. Its Religion & Public Life Project seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs.

Twitter: @PewReligion

SOURCE Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life

Aug 7, 2013

President Clinton, Chelsea Clinton see firsthand how clean water saves lives


Through the eyes of children, parents and teachers, former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton got a personal look at the toll of unsafe water, as part of his visit to Groupe Scholaire Camp Kanombe primary school in Kigali. 


"Let me say how grateful I am to both P&G, one of the greatest companies in the world in terms of its responsibilities to society and building into their business model lifting lives of people, and to World Vision, one of the great treasures of NGOs, and the fact that they're doing this together means a lot to me," President Bill Clinton said.

UNICEF estimates nearly 2,000 children die every day from diarrhea – more than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. 

World Vision and Procter & Gamble are partnering to change that. During the President's visit, water experts demonstrated the P&G water purification packets. Within 30 minutes the small packet transforms brown, dirty, and dangerous water, making it safe for drinking.

"It's one of the simplest things we can do to save lives," President Clinton said.

"It's more than just a transformation of the water – it's life-saving work," said World Vision Vice President of Water and founder of the P&G Children's Safe Drinking Water Program, Dr. Greg Allgood. "There is nothing like seeing the look in a mother's eyes when clean water means she no longer has to make the agonizing choice of giving her children water that she knows could make them sick. With partners P&G and many others, World Vision is doing that work on a large scale through the Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action – providing clean drinking water to a person every 30 seconds, impacting hundreds of thousands of children each year."

During the visit President and Chelsea Clinton were able to talk with rural children and community members from Ntarama to learn the challenges of not having clean, easily accessible water. World Vision plans to provide 90 percent access to safe water supply by 2016 in the areas where the organization works in Rwanda.

World Vision is using key corporate and private donor partnerships, like P&G, as well as innovative thinking and new technology to dramatically increase the speed and scope of its water work. In just the last two years, World Vision had increased 4-5 times its capacity to provide clean water in the developing world, making it the largest non-profit non-governmental provider of clean water in rural areas worldwide. The scaling up is part of World Vision's Campaign 'For Every Child'.  Through the campaign, World Vision will reach more than 6 million people with clean water, spending $400 million in a five-year period. Water is one critical element of World Vision's comprehensive, holistic development program. 

"Our staff has seen firsthand how lives change when you bring clean water into a community," saidGeorge Gitau, national director of World Vision in Rwanda. "It's an immediate impact – the number of child deaths and malnutrition drop, the number of girls able to attend school rises and we see more women able to participate in the economy, freed from the time-consuming and back-breaking work of fetching water."

The Clinton's visit creates momentum for the launch of the social media campaign "Flash Flood for Good" at the Clinton Global Initiative on September 24. "Flash Flood for Good" is a campaign that allows people to join in via Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness for the life-saving impact of clean water. The funds raised by that effort will help the school children in this village and many more in Rwanda as well as in World Vision programs in Myanmar and Ethiopia.

About World Vision 
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/press or follow World Vision on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews .

About the Clinton Global Initiative 
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which are already improving the lives of more than 400 million people in over 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $73.5 billion.

CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery inthe United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world, and, this year, CGI Latin America, which will bring together Latin American leaders to identify, harness, and strengthen ways to improve the livelihoods of people in Latin America and around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org   and follow us on Twitter  @ClintonGlobal   and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative 

Source:  World Vision

Aug 5, 2013

Little Girl Hero Saves Mom's Life



A 7-year-old-girl is being hailed as an "angel from heaven" and a hero for jumping in front of an enraged gunman, who pumped six bullets into the child as she used her body as a shield to save her mother's life.

Alexis Goggins, a first-grader at Campbell Elementary School, is in stable condition at Children's Hospital in Detroit recovering from gunshot wounds to the eye, left temple, chin, cheek, chest and right arm.

"She is an angel from heaven," said Aisha Ford, a family friend for 15 years who also was caught up in the evening of terror.

The girl's mother, Selietha Parker, 30, was shot in the left side of her head and her bicep by a former boyfriend, who police said was trying to kill Parker. The gunman was disarmed by police and arrested at the scene of the shooting, a Detroit gas station. Police identified him as Calvin Tillie, 29, a four-time convicted felon whom Parker had dated for six months.

Parker, who was treated and released at Detroit Receiving Hospital, is now at her daughter's bedside. She declined to comment Tuesday.

The drama began to unfold just before midnight Saturday, when Parker called Ford and asked if she and Alexis could spend the night at Ford's home.

"She said she had no heat and they were very cold, and I said , sure I'll come and get you," Ford said.

Ford said she drove her burgundy 1998 Ford Expedition to Parker's home on Dwyer. She said as Parker and Alexis walked up to her vehicle she saw a man on the porch, who she assumed was a furnace repairman. She said Alexis, who walks with a limp, slipped momentarily on the icy sidewalk and as she helped the girl up, she saw the man and recognized him as Tillie. He was holding a gun.

Tillie ordered them into the vehicle, cursed at the women and angrily told Ford to drive him to Six Mile Road, she said.

"He looked like he was enraged and didn't care what he did. I knew if we went to Six Mile, he would kill us," Ford said. Instead, she told him she needed gas and drove to the Fast Stop Gas station in the 5000 block of East Seven Mile Road, a station that requires customers to pay the attendant inside.

"I figured if he got out to pump the gas, I was going to take off," Ford said.

Instead, Tillie gave her $10 and told her put in $5 worth of gas.

Ford said she dialed 911 on her cell phone as she walked into the station.

"The first operator clicked off and I dialed again and told that operator a guy with a gun was holding me hostage with a mother and baby and threatening to kill us. I told her the name of the gas station and then she said they didn't have a unit to send."

Ford said she paid for $5 of gas and slowly returned to the vehicle, stalling for time as she handed Tillie the change. She said she kept stopping and starting the pump, hoping the police would show up.

"I told him I needed more gas and took money out of my purse and went back into the station," she said. The attendant, Mohammad Alghazali, 30, said he noticed Ford was crying and she told him what was happening. He called 911 as he heard shots coming from the vehicle.

"It was very scary. She (Ford) was scared and screaming when the guy was shooting. I was scared, too. I was on the phone talking to the police when he started shooting," he said

Parker told police that Tillie said Ford was taking too long

She said she pleaded with him but he pointed the gun at her and shot her in the side of the head. She told police she was shot in the arm as she lunged at Tillie.

Before Tillie could fire again, Alexis jumped over the seat between her mother and the gunman and begged him not to shoot her mother.

The police report said Tillie "without hesitation" pumped six shots into the child.

As police arrived, they saw Parker, covered in blood, running from the truck, screaming, "He just shot my baby."

The officers said Tillie came out to the vehicle holding a blue steel 9 mm semi automatic and dropped the weapon when ordered to do so. Officers said they found Alexis huddled on the floor under the steering wheel, covered in blood, surrounded by spent cartridge casings, a spent bullet on the floor and teeth on the seat. There were bullet holes in the windshield and blood inside.

Alghazali said a police car on a street nearby arrived in less than a minute after his call.

Marvin Bodley, a Detroit Public Schools attendance agent, spent two days at Alexis' hospital bedside and said it's miraculous that she's alive.

"What a courageous, courageous little girl," he said. "You see more bandages than child," he said. "It's a horrific sight."

Bodley said Alexis receives special education services at school, in part because of a weak left eye, which is the result of a massive stroke she suffered as an infant.

Ford said doctors at the time had predicted that when Alexis got older she would have trouble with tasks such as writing, but she is now able to write her name.

"She is a good little girl who is very protective of her mother," said Tonya Colbert, Parker's cousin.
Tillie is being held in the Wayne County Jail facing kidnapping, assault with intent to murder, child abuse, felony firearms and habitual criminal charges.

A preliminary examination is scheduled for Dec. 13.


Resource: The Detroit News