As parents, both of us agree that no investment is more important than our children’s future. Every child-no matter where he or she is born-should survive and thrive. Whether during the early moments of life or through their important developmental years, children around the world can have healthier, happier futures.
That’s why this evening was a special night for all of us at Johnson & Johnson. Our Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky, plus senior company leadership, joined hundreds of supporters at the Save the Children Illumination Gala, where we made a significant announcement to inspire the survival and healthy development of children under 5, with a focus on newborns. Johnson & Johnson is committing a minimum of $10 million over three years to help expand resources, with a particular focus on “Helping Babies Breathe.” This commitment is a natural expansion of the partnership that Johnson & Johnson and Save the Children have enjoyed for more than 20 years.
While the first day of a baby’s life is always a joyous one, it also can be a precarious one. Helping Babies Breathe trains health care workers in the developing world to clear blocked airways and help babies take their precious first breath. In addition to this work, our commitment supports the organization’s core mission, local activities with Save the Children affiliates and gifts in kind, as well as non-financial support such as advocacy, thought leadership, media/awareness building and employee engagement.
There’s been some great success already. Helping Babies Breathe in Uganda and Malawi has trained almost 1000 skilled birth attendants in its first three years and more than 85 percent of asphyxiated newborns in those target areas were successfully resuscitated. Together with Save the Children, our Johnson’s brand in the U.S. helped raise awareness of mother and child bonding to help ensure healthy futures. And our local businesses have supported Save the Children addressing child poverty across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
We’ve both personally had an opportunity to touch the work underway around the world. Working closely with Save the Children staff, we are always touched by their dedication and relentlessness regardless of the dire situations they often face. In September, we traveled to the border of Texas with our Save the Children colleagues to offer a helping hand and meet with children and families from Central America seeking shelter and aid. It was humbling experience to witness the humanitarian need, but inspiring to see the difference than can be made.
We look forward to what the future holds for this partnership, and the impact that it will have on families around the world. We’re excited to take part with Save the Children and Johnson & Johnson in helping make long, healthy and happy lives a reality for all young children.
Special thanks to Carolyn Miles, President & CEO, and the entire Save the Children organization for their tireless work.
Joaquin Duato is Worldwide Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, a position he assumed in January 2011. A member of the Johnson & Johnson Management Committee, he is responsible for the global pharmaceutical commercial businesses of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. In this role, Joaquin also oversees the Operations, Quality, and Compliance functional groups supporting the Pharmaceutical commercial and research and development organizations.
Sarah Colamarino is currently Vice President, Johnson & Johnson Corporate Equity Programs. In this role, Sarah develops and executes broad-scale initiatives and strategic partnerships that reflect aspects of the company’s long-standing commitment to corporate citizenship.