Shot@Life’s annual coast-to-coast challenge for global childhood immunization programs, Advocate2Vaccinate wrapped up this week with great success! During this activation, Shot@Life Champions across the country celebrated World Immunization Week by advocating on behalf of children around the globe. We challenged the Champions to help us reach three collective goals: 40 meetings with members of Congress, 20 media advocacy placements, and recruitment of 60 new Champions.
After months of planning their hard work has paid off! I am happy to report Shot@Life Champions held 37 meetings with Congressional offices, placed 13 media advocacy placements, and trained 68 new Champions!
Behind these impressive numbers, many Champions went above and beyond the call to action. Here are some of the highlights:
- New Champion, Rachel Dawson of Texas, scheduled meetings with all three of her congressional representatives’ offices and single-handedly organized a New Champion training for 45 people at Fort Hood. Uchechi Emelogu, a Shot@Life Champion Leader, recorded a radio spot in her home state of Mississippi and it played throughout World Immunization Week. Eight Champions initiated blog relay to coordinate their different perspectives and raise awareness for global childhood immunizations.
- Champion Leader, Uchechi Emelogu, met with her representatives for A2V and placed a radio spot. In adition, Uchechi met with her Governor at the 2015 Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence. There she gave a presentation about Shot@Life and was given a Certificate of Appreciation for the campaign from the state of Mississippi.
- Kristen Edwards, a new Champion, placed a Letter to the Editor urging her representives to support efforts to eradicate polio.
Champion Leader, Paula Kiger, talked to her local news station about global vaccines programs. - Professor LaVonne Downey worked with Professor Lee Earle to lead students at Roosevelt University Fundraising Students in a capstone marketing class that raised over $5000!
- Eight Champions organized a self-initiated blog relay during World Immunization Week. Follow the relay.
So many of our Champions shared similar stories of success and we are grateful for everyone’s efforts to make World Immunization Week, and our annual Advocate2Vaccinate challenge, a huge success!