WPP launches Every Child Counts campaign

The World Pediatric Project (WPP) continues to support Community-Based Growth in St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Eastern Caribbean and is looking to expand its reach and ability to assist more children through the Every Child Counts (ECC) Campaign.

The ECC campaign was officially launched on February 26 at a cocktail aimed at shedding light on the work of the organization and solidifying the support of friends of WPP.

During the event, plans were shared for various funding activities which will unfold over the next two years.

Lauren McIntosh, Executive Director of World Pediatric Project unveiled the plans in a brief presentation and said the ECC Campaign is a local initiative aimed at boosting awareness of WPP and the work they have done and continue to do in SVG as well as to encourage local philanthropy and to assist in funding the program and meeting the funding target of $270,000 in two years.

McIntosh emphasized that WPP is committed to reaching every child who needs help and encouraged individuals and the corporate community to support the series of events that will be rolled out over the upcoming months as well as to make donations where possible or partner with WPP in some way. She further said that “This Every Child Counts Campaign is about businesses, government and individuals working together as a community. It is a catalyst for us to come together as community to assist in healing our children that need medical care. By healing our children, we are restoring hope and the promise for a better future for our communities, our nation and the global society.”

Two patients of WPP, Shelice Stewart and Bless Arthur spoke of their personal experiences with the organization, which included numerous surgeries. Their presentations were emotional and tear jerking; they both thanked the WPP for saving their lives and further implored the audience to find it in their hearts to assist the WPP to help other children in need.

Phillipa Greaves, President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce echoed the sentiments of supporting the organization and encouraged the audience to pledge their continued partnership and support.

The WPP has been working in SVG since 2002 providing surgical and diagnostic services through visiting pediatric teams and children getting services in the US. WPP continues to expand in the work that they are doing and is extremely grateful for the growing support and assistance from donors and sponsors, as since 2002 they have provided services to 3,000 SVG children valued in excess of EC $72million; 700 of these were at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and 169 travelled to the US for surgery.

Since 2007 SVG has been the hub for WPP and has provided 7500 services valued over EC$158 million for children from 10 countries.

The work of the WPP and its impact can be followed at www.worldpediatricproject.org and you can call the office at 784-451-2989.