shot@life - the beginning

I'm exhausted, you all! In a good way.

I spent the last three days with the United Nations Foundation learning to be a Shot@Life Champion. Shot@Life is a program to promote worldwide childhood vaccinations. One hundred people were chosen to be this year's Champions and I am honored to be one of them.

In the past 3 days, I've learned about the history of vaccines, vaccine safety, how to advocate to my Congressional delegation, how to fundraise, plan events, strategize digital campaigns and got media training.

I've also met some rockstar fellow-advocates, listened to Kristin van Ogtrop, editor of Real Simple magazine speak (remember when I had a conference call with her?) and eaten some ah-mazing food. (And I may have had a glass of wine or two.)

I have so much to process to figure out how I, personally, can further the mission of Shot@Life. I have a lot to share and a lot to think about.

I can tell you that after these few days, I am more grateful than ever that I can drive 15 minutes to my pediatrician's office and don't have to worry about my kids dying of a disease that a simple vaccine can prevent. Because every TWENTY SECONDS a child in the world dies of a vaccine preventable disease. That's 50 kids since I started typing this post. Fifty heartbroken mothers.

There's more to come from me on this. First I need about 12 hours of sleep, have approximately 300 emails I have to deal with and 90 valentines to make. Stay tuned.