Mother and Child Alliance

In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, we’d like to add our voice to the message of this year’s theme: a call for all governments to “Improve Our Support Systems.” People with Down syndrome need support to live and be included in the community, like everyone else. Families also need support, as they are often supporting their family member with Down syndrome. Many people with Down syndrome around the world don’t get the support they need and many countries don’t have support systems that meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families. For all these reasons and more, governments must make sure there are support systems, so people with disabilities are included in the community. Find out more about how you can join the effort to improve support systems: https://lnkd.in/ds6jVafK #WorldDownSyndromeDay #ImproveOurSupportSystems

Our executive director, Anne Statton, recently participated in the POISE training program offered by Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine! (POISE stands for Practitioner-Oriented Implementation Science Education.) The goal of the POISE training program, which is designed for HIV public health and service providers, is to offer training on implementation science and innovative tools that can be applied to real-world practice — including science-based strategies to develop and improve HIV-related services. Pictured here are Anne with fellow participants (top photo), as well as with PhD students and training/facilitation staff from Northwestern (bottom photo). The diverse group of participants traveled from locations across the country, with roles that included clinical researchers, program advisors, and one nurse practitioner — coming from a range of organizations including medical schools, health departments, community organizations, and nonprofits.

The folks at Global Heroes produced this short but informative article about the life-changing work we do at MACA, and why it matters. It recently ran as a sponsored promotion in The Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal, in addition to Global Heroes’ own magazine. The article discusses MACA’s 25th anniversary, the statewide safety net we’ve created over the years to keep moms and babies healthy, and our fight to rein in cases of congenital syphilis — including our collaboration with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to launch the innovative Perinatal Syphilis Warmline. Global Heroes also put together a 12-minute podcast in which their cohosts discuss MACA’s first 25 years of impact on public health in Illinois. You can listen to it on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/gz4y9jdK

In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we’d like to shine a spotlight on the powerful story of Elizabeth Glaser — a mother who was determined to make the world a better place by founding an organization to help end pediatric AIDS worldwide. And Elizabeth Glaser’s story has a direct connection to the founding of Mother and Child Alliance. Elizabeth Glaser was the exhibit director of the Los Angeles Children's Museum, and her husband Paul Michael Glaser was an actor who starred in the popular TV's show "Starsky and Hutch" before branching out as a successful movie director. In 1981, during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, Elizabeth contracted HIV from a blood transfusion while giving birth to her daughter Ariel. HIV testing was not yet available, and the Glasers later found out that Elizabeth had unknowingly passed the virus on to Ariel through breast milk and that their son, Jake, had contracted the virus in utero. While trying to find ways to help Ariel and Jake, the Glasers discovered that drug companies and health agencies had no idea that HIV was prevalent among children. The only drugs on the market were for adults — nothing had been tested or approved for children. After Ariel passed away in 1988, Elizabeth kept fighting to save Jake — and she wanted to give hope to other children living with HIV as well. So Elizabeth joined forces with her close friends Susan DeLaurentis and Susie Zeegen to create a foundation that would raise money for pediatric HIV/AIDS research. Founded in 1988, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation raised public awareness about HIV infection in children, and spurred funding for the development of pediatric AIDS drugs as well as research into mother-to-child transmission of HIV. To honor her legacy after Elizabeth herself passed away in 1994, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation was renamed the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). We mentioned earlier that there is a connection to the founding of Mother and Child Alliance. Three of Elizabeth Glaser’s college classmates — Susan Gevirtz, Debbi Klein, and Lynn Weber — were inspired to support the Glaser foundation’s work by forming a new organization here in the Midwest, called Pediatric AIDS Chicago (PAC). As PAC’s work became more local in focus, it led directly to the founding of MACA by Dr. Pat Garcia, who had served as medical advisor for PAC. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s foundation has continued its mission through the years — and today it remains the leading global nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs. Elizabeth’s legacy also lives on in her son, Jake, who is now a healthy adult. To learn more and help support EGPAF’s amazing work, please follow Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and visit pedaids.org.

We’re counting down the hours till one of the most fun events of the spring: Lip Sync for Life! Our fabulous friends at DIFFA Chicago are hosting their annual lip sync battle at Lincoln Hall this Thursday, March 13! The money raised for DIFFA Chicago’s Excellence in Care grants supports Chicagoland service agencies that are helping those affected and living with HIV/AIDS. Find out more and grab your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gh4-XHPc

DYK? Barriers like stigma, lack of insurance, and living in underserved locations can make it hard for women & girls to get #HIV treatment and care. For National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let’s encourage safe and supportive communities and help improve HIV-related outcomes. In the United States, about 23% of people living with HIV are women and, in 2021, women made up 20 percent of new diagnoses, according to CDC data. The highest number of new diagnoses were among women ages 25 to 44. Knowing your status is the first step to prevent transmission of #HIV and avoid development of #AIDS. Protect yourself with tools like PrEP, condoms, and regular testing. Ask your health care provider for more info & visit https://lnkd.in/gCJhytx to learn more! #NWGHAAD

In recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2025 , the 2nd Annual Empower her program will take place at Open Door in Elgin on Sunday, March 9th from Noon to 3 pm. The event, which will feature yoga and empowerment activities, is designed for women and girls currently living with HIV/AIDS or at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. Open Door is located at 1665 Larkin Avenue, Elgin, IL 60123. The event is free; registration is required. To sign up, visit: https://lnkd.in/gnBc79Vf

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! This year’s theme is “We’re Here All Year.” Its goal is to remind us all that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day of the year—not just in March. Individuals with developmental disabilities are valuable members of our communities and deserve full participation in all aspects of life, including education, employment, recreation, and civic engagement. Established in 1987, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month highlights the importance of fostering a society where people with disabilities are empowered to contribute to their communities. While March provides an opportunity for heightened awareness, true awareness happens when we commit to creating accessible environments and productive opportunities all year round. Find out more via the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities online at: https://lnkd.in/gzCSk9r5 #WeReHereAllYear #NACDD #DDAwareness

Congrats to our own Dr. Erie Crawford on the release of her new book, The Other Side of Midnight! In addition to being an author, Dr. Crawford is MACA’s senior director of perinatal women’s health, and supervises our case managers. In The Other Side of Midnight, Dr. Crawford shares the heartbreaking story of losing her husband to suicide and acknowledges the people he left behind in his position as a husband, father, family member, friend, church minister, and police officer. From her unique viewpoint as a social worker, spouse, mother, aunt, Christian, and citizen, Dr. Crawford addresses the aftermath of suicide and offers her personal experience, practical advice, and reflection/discussion questions to help other suicide survivors rebuild their lives.

As International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month draws to a close, how much do you know about prenatal infection? Find out by taking this 10-question quiz! https://lnkd.in/gwJyr54u Share the quiz with friends to help spread awareness of prenatal infection! What is a prenatal infection? It occurs when germs in a pregnant individual cause illness that affects the pregnant individual, the unborn baby, or the newborn after delivery. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent prenatal infections and protect moms as well as babies. To learn more, talk to your healthcare provider, and visit https://lnkd.in/gS6CZ5QQ