I love my Niece more than anything. Her name is Juliet and she recently turned 1. For me the sun rises and sets with her (I shamelessly stole that quote from Val Kilmer in ‘Heat,’ hope he doesn’t mind)

And as certain as I am in knowing that Juliet will be provided with the care, support and affection that she deserves, there are over 153 million orphans (UNICEF State of the World’s Children, 2011) across the world who have been denied of their birthright: the proper foundations to “help them to become healthy, independent, productive members of their communities and the world.”

I can’t accept a world where my niece is without my brother and sister-in law, and living in inhumane conditions that prevent her from reaching her potential. So how can I accept such circumstances for orphans in developing nations.

Rather than just asking for your support, I am going to run for it – for 21 km. On Saturday, May 19th, I'm going to Run for the Young. I will be participating in the NYRR’s Brooklyn Half-Marathon in efforts to fundraise $2,000 towards the Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO).

About WWO:

“Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO) was founded in 1997 by Dr. Jane Aronson, a renowned pediatric infectious disease and adoption medicine specialist, who has dedicated her life to working with children. WWO addresses children’s physical and mental health, their education and their ability to plan for and to achieve that is productive and fulfilling in their own countries.”

With programs in Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Haiti, Serbia and Vietnam, WWO has bettered the lives of over 35,000 orphans and vulnerable children through the following initiatives:

·   2,500 patients Health / HIV care and follow-up in Ethiopia and Vietnam

·  1,000 clients Family Resource Centers , Vietnam

·  850 children Toy Library, Bulgaria

·  800 children Camp/Camp Follow-up, Ethiopia and Vietnam

·  360 students WWO Academy, grades k-4,  Ethiopia

·  350 children One-to-One Programs, Haiti, Bulgaria, and Vietnam 

I strongly believe in WWO, and with your support we can help address the needs of orphans around the world.

Thank you.