Saving Moms this Mother's Day

By Willie Dickerson | Guest Columnist-á

Growing up, my father taught my siblings and me how to honor Mom on Mother's Day. This was a time when we did special things to show our mother how much we cared.

Dad always reminded us that it was important to be good children and appreciate our mother all year long. But on this holiday, we did the cooking with Dad, made special drawings, bought presents and often went to a restaurant. All of this to express our love and appreciation. Mom accepted our loving gestures humbly.-á

She helped us to learn that Mother's Day was a good time to think of others as well. She said there were too many mothers and children who weren't as lucky as us. Some were starving, dying, without a way to take care of each other.

Many years have passed since those days. Mom and Dad are both gone now, but the memories remain. The world is still a sad place for many mothers: 6.3 million children die before they turn 5 every year of mostly preventable causes. Plus, 289,000 mothers die from pregnancy-related causes, according to a RESULTS.org fact sheet.-á My mother would want to do something. So do I. -á

Fortunately, America has been a leader in helping moms and babies survive and thrive.-á And the evidence shows we can put an end to these unnecessary deaths by 2035.-á However, a 2014 report from the ACES Blue-Ribbon Panel, made up of business and development leaders, concluded that we will not meet our goals without first addressing underlying bureaucratic challenges. -á

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), our main global development agency, is already implementing some of the panel's proposed reforms. But this alone will not be enough. New, bipartisan legislation will hold USAID accountable for a smarter, more effective approach to ending preventable maternal and child deaths. Requiring a centralized and coherent strategy, the bill will maximize our investments, with returns measured in lives saved and healthy, prosperous communities.-á

This forthcoming legislation will turn this lofty goal into a viable plan: partnering with developing countries to increase access to lifesaving vaccines, quality nutrition, skilled birth attendants and other cost-effective, evidence-based interventions. This legislation will result in a more effective strategy to maximize our investments in this important work.

So you and I can do something extra to honor every mother this Mother's Day. Let's do our part to make it possible for every mother, everywhere, to see her children grow up healthy.-á Reps. Adam Smith, Denny Heck, Derek Kilmer, Jim McDermott, Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene have signed a letter, originated by Rep. Dave Reichert, supporting this work. They need to hear from us to know this matters to everyone. So call, write, tweet, text, email or visit your representative and tell them to support this legislation.-á

Every mother wants their child to grow and shine. We have the power to make sure that happens. Won't you take five minutes on Mother's Day (or any day) to do your part to save the lives of children and mothers? What we do today will decide if millions live or die.

Willie Dickerson is a former Marysville teacher and current volunteer with the Snohomish County RESULTS group. He lives in Snohomish.-á