Fostering Change Against Surging Measles Cases
The world is facing an alarming resurgence of a measles, a direct consequence of declining vaccination rates and disruptions to immunization programs. It’s easy to feel helpless, but beacons of hope persist.
A Reckoning at Home
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on Earth. It can linger in the air for hours after an infected person leaves a room, and continues to take the lives of more than 100,000 people every year—the majority of whom are children under five.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global vaccination chains and programs, millions of children in low- and middle-income countries missed out on their measles shots. Because of this, we saw global measles cases double between 2021 and 2022—and the upward trend has been exponential since then.
The Americas (North, Central, and South) is the only region that has ever managed to stop endemic transmission of measles. The United States achieved elimination status in 2000, following Canada in 1998—but these hard-won gains are slipping away. As of November 2025, Canada has reported more than 5,000 measles cases, officially relinquishing its elimination status—and the U.S. is not far behind. To say experts are alarmed is an understatement; measles cases are up 34-fold in the Americas compared to last year.
Clearly, this is not just a crisis “out there” anymore; outbreaks are spreading again in the U.S. and other high-income nations with declining vaccination rates.
When we started the Shot@Life GFWC Measles Mission in the spring of 2024, measles was a problem ‘out there.’ Today, measles is a problem ‘right here;’ that makes our job more critical.
Dianne Maki-Sethi, GFWC Clubwoman in Arizona
A Small Price for a Lifetime of Protection
It’s easy to feel hopeless. But we know one thing for sure: measles vaccines work—and they aren’t expensive. Over the last 50 years, measles vaccines have averted more than 94 million deaths worldwide. And for just $5, the cost of a cup of coffee, a child can receive the two doses needed to be protected for life.
That’s why the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) has made the Measles Mission a priority in partnership with Shot@Life. Through this initiative, GFWC members aim to raise $80,000 over two years—enough to protect 16,000 children from measles who otherwise would not have access to vaccines.
Local Passion, Global Impact
Across the U.S., clubwomen are turning awareness into action, showing that compassion and community can make a difference across the globe.
As soon as I heard about the GFWC Measles Mission at our Board of Directors Meeting in Washington DC, I immediately signed GFWC West Virginia up as a team. Learning that there was a resurgence of measles in the US and abroad, and that there are ways to prevent it, I wanted to make sure our members learned more about how they can help with this cause.
Natalie Hinkle, GFWC State President, West Virginia
Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Diane Glasgow has found creative ways to make fundraising, well, fun (and meaningful).
“At our GFWC Cookeville Jr. Woman’s Club meetings, I stand up and put on my thrift-store hat to which I have pinned on microbes of the five biggest killers of children under 5: measles, malaria, pneumonia, polio, and rotavirus, which causes diarrhea. […] Then I remind ladies that they can vaccinate a child for life against measles for just $5 and receive a handmade measles, malaria, or polio keychain.
Diane Glasglow, GFWC clubwoman, Tennessee
Using orphaned socks, buttons, and fabric markers, Diane sews colorful “microbe” key chains as tiny reminders that big change starts with small acts.
And that trend continues in Washington state, with clubwoman Susan Tyler. Susan sold Shot@Life-branded M&Ms and Measles Mission buttons at her GFWC Western States Regional Meeting to raise money—and sold out within minutes!
Susan’s efforts are inspired by a trip to Uganda with Shot@Life for the rollout of the rotavirus vaccine.
The other day I was delighted to hear from Brian, our Ugandan translator. […] His most poignant story was about mothers who come to him questioning the safety of the measles vaccines. They heard that Americans no longer trust vaccines and wonder if they should do the same. As a consequence, Uganda is in the middle of a measles outbreak. I was struck by the power we have as Americans to influence people in other countries, for good or for ill. We have the power to counter falsehoods about vaccines and help ensure every child has a ‘shot’ at a long and healthy life.
Susan Tyler, GFWC Clubwoman, Washington
The Potential for Change
The rise in measles cases is a stark warning, but it’s also a rallying cry. We have the tools to stop measles, the science to back it up, and the compassion it takes to ensure that every child, everywhere, has a shot at life.
Are you a GFWC clubwoman looking to get involved? Check out the Measles Mission and make a gift or start a fundraiser today at this link.
Not a GFWC member? No problem! Click here to make a gift or start your own fundraiser for Shot@Life’s work to reach the world’s most vulnerable with lifesaving vaccines.
Holly Pappano
Holly Pappano is the Senior Communications Associate for the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign. Holly has previously worked with United to Beat Malaria, Shot@Life's sister campaign; Kinesso of Interpublic Group; the University of Seoul's linguistics department; and more. She graduated from Miami University in 2023 as a triple-major in East Asian studies, applied linguistics, and psychology, and has also studied at Xiamen University, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Seoul. She is now pursuing her master's degree at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.