Salma Hayek Joins With UNICEF to Help Mothers And Babies in Need Worldwide

After the birth of her daughter last year, award-winning actress and “Ugly Betty” producer Salma Hayek is grateful for her daughter’s health and, like most mothers, wants other moms around the world to be able to share in the basic medical advances that most of us in this country are lucky enough to take for granted.

To help mothers across the globe, she is teaming up with Pampers and UNICEF to help stop the spread of life-threatening maternal and neonatal tetanus in developing nations worldwide. Pampers has announced that Hayek will serve as the North American ambassador for its “One Pack = One Vaccine” global initiative with UNICEF.

The program, which launched in 2006 in the UK and expanded in 2007 to other countries in Western Europe, and debuts in the U.S. and Canada in spring 2008, has already helped provide UNICEF with funding for more than 25 million life-saving tetanus vaccines distributed throughout Africa and Asia. The goal for the North American campaign is to provide at least 27 million more vaccines, which would bring the total global donations to more than 50 million vaccines.

“In our own small way, this is an opportunity for moms like me here in North America to help other mothers on a global level,” said Hayek. “I’m honored to work with Pampers and UNICEF to help raise awareness of this important program.”

From April 1 through June 30, 2008, for every specially marked pack of Pampers product purchased in the U.S. and Canada, Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding for one life-saving tetanus vaccine for a mother in need worldwide*. Hayek will serve as the spokesperson for the Pampers/UNICEF partnership in the U.S. and Canada to help raise awareness of this program.

“With her long-standing commitment to global causes and as a new mom, Salma is a great partner and we’re thrilled she’s joining us to raise awareness of our UNICEF ‘One Pack = One Vaccine’ program,” said Kirk Perry, North America Vice President and General Manager, Pampers Baby & Toddler Care, and father of four. “At Pampers, we care about every baby’s development and have a proud history of helping moms and babies in need. We are inspired by this program because it invites Pampers moms and dads around the country to join us in saving lives around the world.”

“Childhood immunization is routine in the United States, but each year 140,000 infants and 30,000 women in developing countries die from tetanus — a life threatening, but preventable disease which can be contracted during childbirth,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “While significant progress has been made — last year Egypt and Zambia marked the elimination of tetanus — the disease is still a threat to women and children in more than 45 countries. I applaud Salma and Pampers for joining UNICEF in the fight against tetanus and helping us to move closer to our goal of completely eliminating the disease.”

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