Members of Alabama Kiwanis clubs are doing something about a disease that’s responsible for the painful deaths of 60,000 babies each year.

The Eliminate Project, an initiative of Kiwanis International and UNICEF, hopes to raise $110 million by 2015 to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) from the 38 countries worldwide the disease still affects.

“It’s really an exciting opportunity if you just think about it,” said David Beasley, Alabama district Eliminate coordinator.

Beasley said MNT is a disease that affects infants, causing death within 10 to 14 days.

“They suffer excruciating convulsions that tear muscles and break bones,” Beasley said. “Most any kind of noise, light, wind blowing against their skin can set these convulsions off.

“They put these babies in a dark isolated room and adults can’t touch them or speak to them.”

Beasley painted a picture of a parent comforting an ailing child, singing to the baby, holding and rocking the baby, but he said parents can’t comfort babies who contract neonatal tetanus because noise and touch will send them into convulsions.

“They’re just there until they die. It’s a horrible death,” he said.

Beasley said Alabama Kiwanis plan to raise $2 million for the campaign by 2015. He said so far Florence, Birmingham and Gadsden clubs have donated $2,000 each.

“We’re pretty excited about partnering up with UNICEF on this project,” said Beth Haddock, Florence Kiwanis Club president.

“For such a small amount, knowing that we can wipe something off the face of the earth again is a pretty exciting project,” Haddock said.

According to UNICEF, MNT is caused by lack of immunizations and clean delivery services for mothers and improper care of babies’ umbilical cords after birth.

Beasley said the project will not only provide much needed vaccinations against the disease, but also education to teach proper hygiene and birthing, including delivery packs to ensure safe, clean deliveries of babies.

“We have a wonderful opportunity that we can solve this,” Beasley said. “We have the technology and the manpower through UNICEF. All we’ve got to do is do it and we have solved a worldwide

problem.”

Beasley said vaccinations cost $1.80 per person. At such low costs he said most people can look at their lifestyles and find money to donate.

“Whether it’s in saving change or drinking less carbonated beverages or Starbucks coffee over three years the potential is there and we can do it. We’ve just got to do it,” he said.

Beasley asked, “How often do you get to solve a world-wide problem? That’s exciting. That’s satisfying.”

For more information on how to donate or volunteer, contact your local Kiwanis Club or visit eliminateproject.org.

Sarah Rowland can be reached at 256-740-5749.