Running for African Mothers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA – On Saturday, May 29th, thousands of people will lace up their trainers and particip
ate in Ottawa’s Race Weekend. But one marathoner, Vanessa Hynes will be running to raise awareness about the lack of basic maternal and child health care for mothers in Africa. Vanessa is the wife of Ross Hynes, the Canadian High Commissioner to six East African countries and learned much about the plight of African mothers through her support of AMREF – the African Medical Research Foundation.
Mrs. Hynes was introduced to AMREF’s work during her current post in Nairobi. She is particularly concerned for the thousands of African mothers who sustain fistulas –a devastating injury that occurs when a baby gets lodged in its mother’s birth canal during labour and there is no health care worker to help. The mother’s reproductive organs are crushed – leaving a gap called a fistula. After losing her baby, the mother also loses control of her bladder and bowels.
“I can’t tell you how difficult life is for a woman suffering from fistula,” says Mrs. Hynes. “It’s devastating - not only is she grieving the loss of her baby, but she is ostracized from her entire community as well.
But for more than 25 years AMREF surgeons have been performing the basic operation to correct these devastating injuries. The surgery only costs $265.00 – but most women suffering from fistula simply can’t afford it.
As Executive Chair of the Diplomatic Spouses Association in Nairobi, Mrs. Hynes recently led a major fundraiser for fistula repair surgeries for women in rural Kenya. The golf tournament and walkathon raised enough money for 84 surgeries, which will be performed at AMREF’s fistula clinic later this month.
As a mother herself, Mrs. Hynes wants to help draw attention to the unnecessary birth injuries mothers in Africa face. “When I heard about AMREF’s Run for African Mothers in Salzburg, Austria it encouraged me to do the same in Ottawa. I'm running the 10K to raise awareness, especially for mothers who live in rural villages with no health care at all.”
For more information, interviews, images or b-roll footage, please contact:
Salima Pirani
Communications Manager AMREF Canada
Office: 416-961-6981
Mobile: 416-727-5004
E-mail: spirani@amrefcanada.org
About AMREF
Founded in 1957, the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF) is the world’s leading African health development organization. With headquarters, history and feet on the ground in Africa, AMREF ensures good health for the most marginalized people in Africa. With their active involvement, AMREF develops and implements innovative solutions to critical health challenges facing the continent.
AMREF is launching Stand up for African Mothers – an appeal to raise awareness and support for AMREF’s life-saving maternal health programs in Africa. Canada’s spotlight on maternal and child health entering the G8 and G20 this June means a real chance to help save a substantial number of lives.
Key Facts
• 280,000 mothers die in Africa every year due to pregnancy or labour related complications
• 1.5 million African children are left without a mother every year because she dies trying to give birth
• 1.1 million African babies die within their first 30 days of life
• 80% of African mothers and newborns could be saved with access to basic health care
How We can Support
• $20 – Supplies four midwives with surgical masks, gloves and basic supplies to examine mothers and children
• $50 – Provides a bicycle for a community midwife so she can travel further and see more patients
• $100 – Helps train a community midwife
• $250 – Helps equip a small health clinic with beds and medical kits
Support our programs by making a donation.
