Grant provides calendars for hepatitis moms

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May 3, 2011

Grant provides calendars for hepatitis moms

LAWRENCEVILLE — Kavanaugh, an epidemiologist with the East Metro Public

Health District that serves Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties, had the

unique of idea of purchasing “Baby’s First Year” calendars so hepatitis

B-infected mothers could keep track of when their child needs vaccinations.

The Lawrenceville resident submitted it to The Foundation, the

namesake of the daytime talk show host that gives money to people across the

country with good ideas to better their communities through its “’s Heroes”

program.

During a surprise phone call with last week, Kavanaugh was officially

given a $3,000 grant to buy the calendars.

“Chronic hepatitis B puts these children at high risk for developing liver

cancer and premature death,” Kavanaugh wrote in her appeal to ’s Heroes.

“I feel like this would show these women that we genuinely care about the health

of them and their child. It might save a child’s life!”

The 1,000 calendars that Kavanaugh purchases will be given to hepatitis

B-infected mothers after they deliver their child, and will have stickers placed

on the months indicating when their child is due for vaccinations.

“It is critical that infants receive the hepatitis B vaccines on time to help

prevent infection,” Kavanaugh wrote. “At least 90 percent of children exposed to

hepatitis B will become chronically infected unless an intervention such as

vaccination is done.”

To learn more about The Foundation, visit www.jennysheroes.com.