INDIA
The Hindu

What about the third stage of labor?

A recent study performed in India as part of a Health and Population Innovation Fellowship granted by the Population Council found significant gaps in the management of the third stage of labor, the period between delivery of the baby and delivery of the placenta. These gaps are likely contributing to the high levels of maternal mortality in India. See the full story here.

PAKISTAN
www.DAWN.com

Are women in Pakistan relying on unsafe abortions as a form of birth control?

Population welfare authorities are pleased with recent findings that total fertility rates have gone down in Pakistan–leading to an assumption that access to family planning methods has gone up throughout the country. However, this article, The Untold Story of Abortion, highlights alarming data recently released by the National Committee on Maternal and Neonatal Health in collaboration with the Guttmacher Institute. The data shows that in 2002, 890 thousand induced abortions were performed in Pakistan—a large number clandestinely by untrained midwives. Unsafe abortion is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality around the world. Click here to read the full story.

PERU
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Discrimination and Maternal Mortality in Peru

This new report, Dying to Give Birth: Fighting Maternal Mortality in Peru, from the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health outlines issues of gender and ethnic discrimination that limit access and quality of care for Peruvian women. The report also contrasts Peru with countries in sub-Saharan Africa—citing differences in the way maternal deaths are distributed within countries. Read the report here.

RWANDA
allafrica.com

Medical Experts Gather to Discuss Obstetric Fistula

Policy makers, clinicians, health officials and community leaders met for a two day conference hosted by the Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Medical Association and the Fistula Care Project (managed by EngenderHealth) to design a road map to eradicate obstetric fistula in Rwanda. Click here for the full story.

Also, click here to see a piece on Huffington Post about Ana Langer, President of EngenderHealth, and the work EngenderHealth is doing to increase access to fistula surgery for women all over the world.

TANZANIA
This Day: The Voice of Transparency

Workshop in Dar es Salaam equips journalists with information on HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health

The Wanawake na Maendeleo Foundation (WAMA) and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) organized a workshop in Dar es Salaam for journalists. The goal of the workshop was to empower journalists with a clear understanding of HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health issues impacting Tanzania. Journalists at the meeting agreed to focus attention on factors impeding the improvement of living conditions for women and children throughout the country. See the full story here.
Also, click here to see a post from last week about a similar workshop for journalists held in Ghana.

ZIMBABWE
RH Reality Check

Progress toward MDG5 might be slow in some places–but in Zimbabwe, the situation is actually getting worse

This piece, Zimbabwe’s Growing Crisis of Maternal Deaths, outlines the factors that have contributed to a maternal mortality ratio that has risen from 138 deaths/100,000 live births in the mid-nineties to 880 deaths/100,000 live births in 2005. See the full story here.

“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
~Martin Niemöller

When I was a college student, I had the privilege of attending various free events that supported causes I believed in, many of which did not “involve” me directly as a white, straight, Protestant: LGBT rights awareness, racial harmony, Holocaust remembrances. Each time, I was truly disheartened to notice that I was usually the only person in the room who did not fit into the group being discussed. My disappointment was usually met with confusion by the people being represented; they considered me extremely naive to think a straight person would show up to a LGBT event, or a gentile to Holocaust Remembrance Day, or that a white girl would take a class on Africa.

In the United States, we are constantly hearing the phrase, “take care of our own.” In times of war when civilian casualties are unavoidable, certainly, this is often necessary. However, recent studies have shown us that in general practice, it doesn’t work. Mother Nature–or God, or Allah, or Hashem, or somebody–ensures that it doesn’t work. It isn’t a bleeding heart agenda that compels me to ask people to think about those who are half a world away; it’s not just compassion–it’s common sense. Interdependent race that we are, a species of international dependence and international travel, no force of any kind remains half a world away. HIV/AIDS certainly didn’t, and that’s why Dr. Nathan Wolfe does the work that he does, and that’s why he’s an extraordinary man.

I first heard about Dr. Wolfe as most others did, because of his involvement with CNN’s Planet in Peril 2: Battle Lines, which aired last December. Dr. Wolfe is a virus hunter. He was interviewed in the jungles of Cameroon by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, where he explained the work he is doing studying zoonotics, or viruses that are transmitted from animals to humans. HIV is a zoonotic, and resulted from starving individuals in Africa–and scientists are almost positive that the transmission occurred in Cameroon–forced into the woods to hunt and kill simians, or “bush meat,” to survive. Eventually it spread globally and created the AIDS pandemic, killing plenty of our own. There are more zoonotic viruses lurking in African primates, and conditions in many parts of Africa have not improved–in Cameroon, many still survive on bush meat. Since it is so often said that if we do not learn from our mistakes, we’re doomed to repeat them, when will the next pandemic occur? Dr. Wolfe has taken it upon himself to head the Global Viral Forecasting Initiative, and attempt to answer that question.

No one can or should deny the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on the West. The intense effect it’s had on the gay community, their national identity and their perceived role in our society is staggering on its own. Of course, that is hardly the extent of it–AIDS can hardly be considered a “gay disease,” as the fastest rising at-risk group for HIV infection is heterosexual women. The crisis continues to rage in the United States despite declining media attention–2009 studies concluded that the percentage of the population of Washington D.C. that are infected with HIV/AIDS rivals that of Uganda. We are not so different, so superior. Clearly, it’s not just a moral compulsion that should make us want to care about what happens to Africa; it’s that if we don’t, it will come back to bite us in full force. That’s the way it should be. If you pay attention, it’s astonishing how often compassion goes hand-in-hand with pragmatism.

One of the most poignant examples for me of how this crisis is as close to home as any other, is the story behind the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the deaths of Elizabeth and Ariel Glaser. In 1981, Elizabeth Glaser–the late wife of actor/director Paul Michael Glaser–contracted HIV from a blood transfusion while giving birth to their daughter, Ariel. By the time she learned of her infection, she had transferred the virus to Ariel through breastfeeding, and had another child, Jake, who contracted the virus in utero, before his birth in 1984. Ariel died in 1988 at the age of seven. In her grief, and in her desperate need to protect her son, Elizabeth founded EGPAF that same year. She revolutionized the public’s perception of pediatric AIDS and HIV/AIDS in general, inspired research and raised funding. Elizabeth Glaser died in 1994. She was 47.

It doesn’t get much more white-bread, apple-pie loving America than the Glaser family. Yet it was a pattern of poverty and disease half a world away that resulted in their deaths.

I’m not blaming the West entirely for Africa’s problems. However, if we adopt the attitude that a failure of such a magnitude is a human failure and not just an African failure, that paradigm shift could change the global patterns of disease, hunger, and prejudice. So many Western lives would be different if people in Cameroon that most in the Western world never consider hadn’t been starving, if they hadn’t been forced to eat bush meat, if that virus hadn’t become what it is. If we can take advantage of this connection and make it more positive, instead of making the same mistake twice, who knows what we can achieve. I think if we really want to make this generation count and make our greatest investment into the future, Africa is really the golden key. It’s such a beautiful, diverse continent that is so bountiful with resources, but there is so much work to be done. I think Westerners really need to take more of an interest in that continent’s potential, because so many people just see it as this big ball of strife that can’t be fixed, but it isn’t true.

We were told to “take care of our own.” It didn’t work. Ariel Glaser died. Elizabeth Glaser died. We need to try a different tactic.

Also, might I suggest that Africa is our own? For me, it’s enough that people die elsewhere. I never bought into the idea that children are worth less because they’re born on a different rock. That said, I understand that it’s difficult for people to wrap their brains around their own struggle, let alone those on another continent that never directly affect them. So I’m not judgmental if it isn’t enough for you that people are suffering in far off lands–I’m here to remind you that Ariel Glaser could have been your kid.

If AIDS didn’t happen to land in your backyard, I’m happy for you. But the next pandemic might. The universe already responded to our callousness with a massive, international crisis that changed us forever–a massive, international hint. Let’s not miss it.

You can follow Dr. Nathan Wolfe on Twitter @virushunter.

For more information on how you can help, here is a list of excellent sources:
Global Viral Forecasting Initiative
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)
*Condition Critical – run by Doctors without Borders, it is the single best web-based resource I have found for voices from the war in Eastern Congo. In DRC, where rape is a weapon of war, HIV/AIDS takes on a whole new meaning.
AVERT
UNAIDS
Gay Men’s Health Crisis
Keep A Child Alive
ONE
amFAR
International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care

If I’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to put them in the comments.

The Grotto Blog by Lauren E. Moccio is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.lauriebethsgrotto.com.

Janeen Mansour and Morgan Freeman at Noble Awards

The First Annual Noble Awards

The event honored Morgan  Freeman – Lifetime  Achievement Award

A Star-Studded Night For First Annual Noble Awards

“It was a successful night, everyone who contributed and participated in the event came away with a warm feeling in their heart,” said Creator and Founder Janeen Mansour of The Noble Awards, held (Sunday, October 18^th) at The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills.
Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush hosted the first awards show, and he himself was also honored for his dedication as a board member and hustling fundraiser for the Lollipop Theater Network. They bring magic and movies currently in theaters to children confiened to hospitals nationwide due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

The event honored  Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and dozen other celebs received recognition and a Noble Award for charity work.

Despite being a little under the weather for running a Trianthalon in the name of charity Terri Hatcher accepted her award from Actor James Denton, America’s favorite plummer also on Desperate Housewives.

Other celebs included  Norman Lear,  Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O’Dell, Joel  Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface  Edmonds, and Annalynne McCord. There  were some surprises, too like America’s  Got Talent Nick Cannon as one of the presenters.

The awards were sculptured by Antonio Banderas the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.   Joel Madden said, “The artists at The Art of Elysium” should get an award, too.-

The first awards show came off without a hitch and the live music performances enhanced an inspiration evening. It was an evening of entertainment and celebration that honors charities, celebrities and the tremendous work that they do.

‘This event and movement should inspire the next generation to be noble throughout their lives,” said Mansour.

One of the highlights of the musical performance that brought the house down was Monica, introduced by Bill Bush. Born and raised in Atlanta, Monica Denise Arnold is a talented R&B / pop singer, songwriter and actress.  She became the youngest female artist ever to have two back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. Both songs from her three-times-platinum debut, “Miss Thang,” topped the Hot 100 chart and sold one million copies each. In 1998,

“The Boy Is Mine” was released and had three consecutive No. 1 Billboard pop singles. The title track with Brandy spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts and eight weeks at No. 1 on the R&B listing. Additionally, the duet earned Monica a Grammy to add to her American Music, Soul Train and Billboard Awards.

The inaugural NOBLE AWARDS event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501c3, has a mission to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, philanthropists, media and every day citizens to create
an effective forum for change and service.

Another of the highlights of the evening was eight-year old Emily Bear, who performaned live at the Noble Awards show.

8-year old Emily Bear – Pianist Emily Bear has only been playing piano for three years, but at just eight years old, her accomplishments are inspiring and her talent is breathtaking. Classical, jazz and boogie come naturally to her. Emily’s songs were are all written and composed at age seven.

She performs a large list of classics and standards, and also composes her own magical songs. Giving and charity are very important to Emily and a portion of the proceeds from all CD sales are donated to charity foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Children’s Hospital, among others. Her latest CD “Always True” is now available in the Store. Her first three CDs, “Five Years Wise”, “The Love In Us” and “Once Upon A Wish” are also available.

The Lion’s King’s Timothy Mitchell also sang and played a powerful song on piano sounding much like Steve Wonder with a great stage band backing him up.

Each year the Noble Awards will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. This year’s honorees, who attended to accept their award included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner forDoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds forStand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden.

Julio Iglesias Jr.also provided some soul soothing live singing at the event. Julio Iglesias Jr.was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home.

Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children.  It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital.  A moment that was also extremely moving was when his twin brother Benji (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication.

Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) looked on lovingly while her Father introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much.  The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital.”

Creator Janeen Mansour was thrilled to see her dream come true.

“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them,” she said. “Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”

The First Annual Noble Awards

The event honored Morgan  Freeman – Lifetime  Achievement Award

A Star-Studded Night For First Annual Noble Awards

“It was a successful night, everyone who contributed and participated in the event came away with a warm feeling in their heart,” said Creator and Founder Janeen Mansour of The Noble Awards, held (Sunday, October 18^th) at The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills.
Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush hosted the first awards show, and he himself was also honored for his dedication as a board member and hustling fundraiser for the Lollipop Theater Network. They bring magic and movies currently in theaters to children confiened to hospitals nationwide due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

The event honored  Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and dozen other celebs received recognition and a Noble Award for charity work.

Despite being a little under the weather for running a Trianthalon in the name of charity Terri Hatcher accepted her award from Actor James Denton, America’s favorite plummer also on Desperate Housewives.

Other celebs included  Norman Lear,  Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O’Dell, Joel  Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface  Edmonds, and Annalynne McCord. There  were some surprises, too like America’s  Got Talent Nick Cannon as one of the presenters.

The awards were sculptured by Antonio Banderas the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.   Joel Madden said, “The artists at The Art of Elysium” should get an award, too.-

The first awards show came off without a hitch and the live music performances enhanced an inspiration evening. It was an evening of entertainment and celebration that honors charities, celebrities and the tremendous work that they do.

‘This event and movement should inspire the next generation to be noble throughout their lives,” said Mansour.

One of the highlights of the musical performance that brought the house down was Monica, introduced by Bill Bush. Born and raised in Atlanta, Monica Denise Arnold is a talented R&B / pop singer, songwriter and actress.  She became the youngest female artist ever to have two back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. Both songs from her three-times-platinum debut, “Miss Thang,” topped the Hot 100 chart and sold one million copies each. In 1998,

“The Boy Is Mine” was released and had three consecutive No. 1 Billboard pop singles. The title track with Brandy spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts and eight weeks at No. 1 on the R&B listing. Additionally, the duet earned Monica a Grammy to add to her American Music, Soul Train and Billboard Awards.

The inaugural NOBLE AWARDS event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501c3, has a mission to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, philanthropists, media and every day citizens to create
an effective forum for change and service.

Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide. He just released a new album last month and perform one of his songs live. Brian McKnight (Video)

Another of the highlights of the evening was eight-year old Emily Bear, who performaned live at the Noble Awards show.

8-year old Emily Bear – Pianist Emily Bear has only been playing piano for three years, but at just eight years old, her accomplishments are inspiring and her talent is breathtaking. Classical, jazz and boogie come naturally to her. Emily’s songs were are all written and composed at age seven.

She performs a large list of classics and standards, and also composes her own magical songs. Giving and charity are very important to Emily and a portion of the proceeds from all CD sales are donated to charity foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Children’s Hospital, among others. Her latest CD “Always True” is now available in the Store. Her first three CDs, “Five Years Wise”, “The Love In Us” and “Once Upon A Wish” are also available.

The Lion’s King’s Timothy Mitchell also sang and played a powerful song on piano sounding much like Steve Wonder with a great stage band backing him up.

Each year the Noble Awards will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. This year’s honorees, who attended to accept their award included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner forDoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds forStand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden.

Julio Iglesias Jr.also provided some soul soothing live singing at the event. Julio Iglesias Jr.was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home.

Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children.  It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital.  A moment that was also extremely moving was when his twin brother Benji (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication.

Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) looked on lovingly while her Father introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much.  The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital.”

Creator Janeen Mansour was thrilled to see her dream come true.

“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them,” she said. “Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”

The First Annual Noble Awards

The event honored Morgan  Freeman – Lifetime  Achievement Award

A Star-Studded Night For First Annual Noble Awards

“It was a successful night, everyone who contributed and participated in the event came away with a warm feeling in their heart,” said Creator and Founder Janeen Mansour of The Noble Awards, held (Sunday, October 18^th) at The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills.
Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush hosted the first awards show, and he himself was also honored for his dedication as a board member and hustling fundraiser for the Lollipop Theater Network. They bring magic and movies currently in theaters to children confiened to hospitals nationwide due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

The event honored  Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and dozen other celebs received recognition and a Noble Award for charity work.

Despite being a little under the weather for running a Trianthalon in the name of charity Terri Hatcher accepted her award from Actor James Denton, America’s favorite plummer also on Desperate Housewives.

Other celebs included  Norman Lear,  Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O’Dell, Joel  Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface  Edmonds, and Annalynne McCord. There  were some surprises, too like America’s  Got Talent Nick Cannon as one of the presenters.

The awards were sculptured by Antonio Banderas the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.   Joel Madden said, “The artists at The Art of Elysium” should get an award, too.-

The first awards show came off without a hitch and the live music performances enhanced an inspiration evening. It was an evening of entertainment and celebration that honors charities, celebrities and the tremendous work that they do.

‘This event and movement should inspire the next generation to be noble throughout their lives,” said Mansour.

One of the highlights of the musical performance that brought the house down was Monica, introduced by Bill Bush. Born and raised in Atlanta, Monica Denise Arnold is a talented R&B / pop singer, songwriter and actress.  She became the youngest female artist ever to have two back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. Both songs from her three-times-platinum debut, “Miss Thang,” topped the Hot 100 chart and sold one million copies each. In 1998,

“The Boy Is Mine” was released and had three consecutive No. 1 Billboard pop singles. The title track with Brandy spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts and eight weeks at No. 1 on the R&B listing. Additionally, the duet earned Monica a Grammy to add to her American Music, Soul Train and Billboard Awards.

The inaugural NOBLE AWARDS event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501c3, has a mission to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, philanthropists, media and every day citizens to create
an effective forum for change and service.

Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide. He just released a new album last month and perform one of his songs live. Brian McKnight (Video)

Another of the highlights of the evening was eight-year old Emily Bear, who performaned live at the Noble Awards show.

8-year old Emily Bear – Pianist Emily Bear has only been playing piano for three years, but at just eight years old, her accomplishments are inspiring and her talent is breathtaking. Classical, jazz and boogie come naturally to her. Emily’s songs were are all written and composed at age seven.

She performs a large list of classics and standards, and also composes her own magical songs. Giving and charity are very important to Emily and a portion of the proceeds from all CD sales are donated to charity foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Children’s Hospital, among others. Her latest CD “Always True” is now available in the Store. Her first three CDs, “Five Years Wise”, “The Love In Us” and “Once Upon A Wish” are also available.

The Lion’s King’s Timothy Mitchell also sang and played a powerful song on piano sounding much like Steve Wonder with a great stage band backing him up.

Each year the Noble Awards will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. This year’s honorees, who attended to accept their award included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner forDoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds forStand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden.

Julio Iglesias Jr.also provided some soul soothing live singing at the event. Julio Iglesias Jr.was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home.

Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children.  It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital.  A moment that was also extremely moving was when his twin brother Benji (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication.

Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) looked on lovingly while her Father introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much.  The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital.”

Creator Janeen Mansour was thrilled to see her dream come true.

“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them,” she said. “Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”

The First Annual Noble Awards

The event honored Morgan  Freeman – Lifetime  Achievement Award

A Star-Studded Night For First Annual Noble Awards

“It was a successful night, everyone who contributed and participated in the event came away with a warm feeling in their heart,” said Creator and Founder Janeen Mansour of The Noble Awards, held (Sunday, October 18^th) at The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills.
Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush hosted the first awards show, and he himself was also honored for his dedication as a board member and hustling fundraiser for the Lollipop Theater Network. They bring magic and movies currently in theaters to children confiened to hospitals nationwide due to chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

The event honored  Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and dozen other celebs received recognition and a Noble Award for charity work.

Despite being a little under the weather for running a Trianthalon in the name of charity Terri Hatcher accepted her award from Actor James Denton, America’s favorite plummer also on Desperate Housewives.

Other celebs included  Norman Lear,  Lionel Richie, Laila Ali, Nancy O’Dell, Joel  Madden, Brett Ratner, Kenny Babyface  Edmonds, and Annalynne McCord. There  were some surprises, too like America’s  Got Talent Nick Cannon as one of the presenters.

The awards were sculptured by Antonio Banderas the children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children with the guidance of The Art of Elysium volunteer/actor/sculptor David Grieco.   Joel Madden said, “The artists at The Art of Elysium” should get an award, too.-

The first awards show came off without a hitch and the live music performances enhanced an inspiration evening. It was an evening of entertainment and celebration that honors charities, celebrities and the tremendous work that they do.

‘This event and movement should inspire the next generation to be noble throughout their lives,” said Mansour.

One of the highlights of the musical performance that brought the house down was Monica, introduced by Bill Bush. Born and raised in Atlanta, Monica Denise Arnold is a talented R&B / pop singer, songwriter and actress.  She became the youngest female artist ever to have two back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. Both songs from her three-times-platinum debut, “Miss Thang,” topped the Hot 100 chart and sold one million copies each. In 1998,

“The Boy Is Mine” was released and had three consecutive No. 1 Billboard pop singles. The title track with Brandy spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts and eight weeks at No. 1 on the R&B listing. Additionally, the duet earned Monica a Grammy to add to her American Music, Soul Train and Billboard Awards.

The inaugural NOBLE AWARDS event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501c3, has a mission to unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, philanthropists, media and every day citizens to create
an effective forum for change and service.

Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history. He has released 11 albums to date, 7 of them have gone platinum, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 20 Million albums worldwide. He just released a new album last month and perform one of his songs live. Brian McKnight (Video)

Another of the highlights of the evening was eight-year old Emily Bear, who performaned live at the Noble Awards show.

8-year old Emily Bear – Pianist Emily Bear has only been playing piano for three years, but at just eight years old, her accomplishments are inspiring and her talent is breathtaking. Classical, jazz and boogie come naturally to her. Emily’s songs were are all written and composed at age seven.

She performs a large list of classics and standards, and also composes her own magical songs. Giving and charity are very important to Emily and a portion of the proceeds from all CD sales are donated to charity foundations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Children’s Hospital, among others. Her latest CD “Always True” is now available in the Store. Her first three CDs, “Five Years Wise”, “The Love In Us” and “Once Upon A Wish” are also available.

The Lion’s King’s Timothy Mitchell also sang and played a powerful song on piano sounding much like Steve Wonder with a great stage band backing him up.

Each year the Noble Awards will recognize and honor philanthropic organizations and the celebrities that make considerable contributions to them. This year’s honorees, who attended to accept their award included Nancy O’Dell for Best Buddies International, AnnaLynne McCord for The Blind Project, Teri Hatcher for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Brett Ratner forDoSomething.org, Billy Bush for Lollipop Theater Network, Whitney Burditt for Playing for Change, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds forStand Up To Cancer, Laila Ali for Women’s Sport Foundation and a charity very close to my heart, The Art of Elysium honoring Joel Madden.

Julio Iglesias Jr.also provided some soul soothing live singing at the event. Julio Iglesias Jr.was born in Madrid, Spain to well-known singer, Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler. He moved to Miami, Florida at a very young age, a place he now considers home.

Jennifer Howell, Founder of The Art of Elysium, presented this award to Joel Madden with Lionel Richie, Allison Beck and Stacey Price: “As both an artist and a father, Joel truly embodies a sincere passion for both music and children.  It was evident in his beautiful and humble acceptance speech where he expressed his heartbreak at the thought of a child spending one second inside of a hospital.  A moment that was also extremely moving was when his twin brother Benji (who has spent many days with The Art of Elysium teaching guitar and participating in music workshops) shared his love for his brother with a music dedication.

Nicole Richie (who has also dedicated her talents to the charity) looked on lovingly while her Father introduced Joel and thanked him for loving his daughter so much.  The love, support and generosity that was shown by all members of Joel’s family are the true roots that can help take The Art of Elysium’s mission to every child that spends that terrifying one second in a hospital.”

Creator Janeen Mansour was thrilled to see her dream come true.

“The goal of the Noble Awards was to highlight the charities there that night and celebrities that champion them,” she said. “Our goal reached far beyond my expectations. The purpose of the Noble Awards is to create awareness and send out a call to action. I feel everyone in the room was inspired and moved and understood the message we were trying to convey. That message is to be a Noble.”

Leighton Meester

Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester, LL Cool J and Susan Sarandon have been part of the special events for kids at past annual Kids for Kids Family Carnivals, on again this year to raise funds for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The event is a fun day for the whole family with all kinds of activities and a host of celebrity participants.

Tickets are available now for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Kids for Kids Family Carnival, on 24 October.

Nigel Barker

America’s Next Top Model’s Nigel Barker will play judge again at the Love at First Sight runway event.

The event will include a student design competition, and proceeds from the winning dresses will help support Nigel’s chosen charity the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation.

As well as the competition and runway, Love at First Sight, on 5 November, will feature shopping, live entertainment and more.

Ed Bridge

Ed Bridge, President of Ben Bridge, has just been elected President of Jewelers for Children.

Jewelers for Children is a terrific non-profit organization that has donated nearly $32 million to programs benefiting children whose lives have been affected by illness, abuse or neglect.

It works with groups including the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help children in need.

Congratulations Ed–we are so proud of you and all the work you do for the jewelry industry and for children!

Article from Diamonds.net

Article from IDEX Online

What would the Kansas farm girl-turned fashion icon wear today? That’s the question Warner Bros. and Swarovski posed to 19 shoe designers you love (I know you love them, don’t doubt me) and one FIDM design contest winner, Kaddie Lam (pictured with her spiral-heel stiletto). The result? Mouthwatering red confections that would make any modern-day Dorothy want to perfect her yellow brick road strut.

A very chic friend I’m now indebted to was kind enough to take on the role of Shoetube.tv field reporter and sent back pics of her favorites; as displayed last night at Tavern on the Green for The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Emerald Gala.

What’s the fate of these gorgeous creations? They’re being auctioned off here until September 29, with the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which works in 17 countries to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS.

So if you’ve got the budget, bid away. If you don’t, just click your heels together… or maybe watch the movie. It won’t bring you ruby slippers, but it will bring you back to your shoe-loving roots.

Moschino platform pumps with an oversized half bow on each toe. So sweet!

Christian Louboutin satin heels with fabric-feather detail.

Abaete crystal-encrusted pumps with bow detail.

Tuleh strappy pumps covered in satin and tulle. Dubbed a hot mess by our reporter.

Precarious platforms from Alberta Ferretti.

And L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani wooden open-toe platforms with satin bow. Not to mix magical stories but, these are the fairest of them all.

With the loss of musical icon Michael Jackson in June (check out our previous blog for information on his amazing career), publishers across the country have been working hard to produce new arrangements of his music. Here are a few of the newest selections for choir:

THRILLER
Teachers have been calling and asking us for an arrangement of Thriller for years, and now it’s finally here! Using sound effects, horror film motifs and music video as a promotional tool, the choreography on the song has been replicated the world over, cementing Jackson’s appeal as a global pop culture icon.

GONE TOO SOON
Michael Jackson originally recorded this beautiful, heartfelt song as a touching tribute to Ryan White, a young man who became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment. A portion of the profits and royalties from the sale of this publication will be donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

HEAL THE WORLD
This moving song from Michael Jackson’s hit album Dangerous encourages all of us to make our world “a better place for you and for me and the entire human race.” Originally released in 1991, the message still rings true today. Sung as the closing number at Jackson’s memorial service on July 7, 2009.

WILL YOU BE THERE
Featuring an infectious groove, this popular single from Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album also won the 1994 MTV Movie Award for “Best Song in a Movie” as the main theme featured on the Free Willy soundtrack.

And two brand-new medleys: Rock With You – A Tribute to Michael Jackson (includes Got to Be There, I’ll Be There, Man in the Mirror, Rock With You, Say Say Say, Thriller, and We Are the World) and Michael Jackson: A Musical Tribute (includes Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Beat It, and Wanna Be Startin’ Something’).  Both are sure to be show choir extravaganzas!

For more pop selections for your choir, contact us!

[This post was written by Dr. Myron Cohen, our institute director.]

Myron S. Cohen, MD

By any stretch of the imagination this has been a wonderful summer for global health at UNC, and I feel compelled to share with you some highlights.

UNC presented a “boatload” of research at the International Society for STD Research (ISSTDR) meeting in London at the end of June and at the IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention meeting in Cape Town last week.  I believe that our work on HIV treatment and prevention has been successful and important, and is beginning to influence global policy.

New research awards include $3.5 million from NIAID to study prevention of HIV transmission among people with acute HIV infection (AHI).  AHI occurs in the first 12 weeks after infection, and during this period, people are highly infectious.  Prevention transmission during AHI could have a big impact on the spread of the virus.

After the London meeting, I traveled to Malawi and saw firsthand what our trainees are doing at UNC Project-Malawi in Lilongwe.  One exciting thing is that, for the first time, we have two students from the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholars Program spending the summer at UNC Project.  It is hard not to be inspired by their energy.

But perhaps most thrilling recent news is that Agnes Moses, MD, a lead investigator at UNC Project has been awarded the 2009 International Leadership Award from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.  Agnes was one of our Fogarty trainees and later got her residency training in internal medicine, thanks to funding from UNC Project.  Despite her advanced training, Agnes is committed to practicing health care in her home country of Malawi.

We’ve also just seen off the 6 new Fogarty and Doris Duke students who will be spending 2009-2010 in Malawi and China.

Finally, because service is a big part of our institute’s mission, I was happy to see the “care package” we are providing to pregnant women in Malawi, which includes nutritional supplements and materials to purify water.  Greg Allgood, a UNC alumnus and head of Procter & Gamble’s Children’s Safe Drinking Water Project visited us in Malawi, and he hopes his organization can provide some ongoing support of our program.

Having so many good things happen at once is wonderful and inspiring, and I hope that autumn’s chill ushers in more of the same.

- Myron Cohen

Yesterday, Disney, along with The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation hosted the 20th annual A Time for Heroes Celebrity Picnic that featured a special performance by superstar Miley Cyrus!

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation works with researchers in the field of pediatric AIDS, creating programs that provide a full continuum of care in developing countries, or collaborating to accelerate clinical discoveries, our programs offer hope for all children and families living with HIV/AIDS.

Their mission is prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.

Hundreds of Celebrities came out in support of the Foundations lifesaving work.

Some pictured are:

• Heidi Klum
• Ashlee Simpson, Pete Wentz and Bronx
• Denise Richards and daughter Lola
• Constance Marie and daughter Luna
• David Charvet and daughter Heaven Rain
• Melissa Joan Hart and son Mason
• Nigel Barker, wife Cristen Chin, son Jack and daughter Jasmine
• Mark Wahlberg, partner Rhea Durham, son Michael and daughter Ella
• Sharon Stone, with sons Laird and Quinn
• Ali Landry and daughter Estela

PHOTOTCREDIT:FAME & SPLASH

We probably should have seen this one coming, but it simply never occurred to us. Blake Lively, Leighton Meester and other Gossip Girls on magazine covers? Yes.  But Penn Badgely, Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick on a cover together? (Below, Blake Lively on this month’s Cosmopolitan.)

And might we just show our fuddy-duddiness by commenting on how TQM (The Queen Mother) would never allow TP to set foot, nay, not even one toe in the house with Cosmo if the headlines were anything like those seen here. Not. Ever.

Perhaps a magazine cover should be dedicated to Ms. Lively and her ‘real-life’ sweetheart, Penn Badgely, seen walking to the Gossip Girl set last week in New York.

Photo: Edward Opinaldo/Splash News

Ms. Lively and co-star Leighton Meester both lent their name to a very good cause, the 8th annual Stuart Weitzman Celebrity Shoe Auction; the fundraiser supports efforts to develop a new test for ovarian cancer. Below, shoes that were up for auction from Ms. Lively, then Ms. Meester. September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

TP is mortified we didn’t run this story previously so anyone interested in bidding could actually do so; we apologize for being a dolt. Below, Ms. Meester doing some charitable work for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation at the Armory on September 20th.

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Target collaborations continue apace; this one is really very cute, at least we find it cute.  Just 2-1/2″ tall, it is a limited edition Qee, the oh-so-cute toy designer toy figure you may already be familiar with. If not, you aren’t alone, and BTW, in the process of discovering Qees we learned the proper pronunciation is “key”.

The one in the photo above as well as below are both the result of a collaboration between TOY2R and Target, and both come equipped with their optional keychain attachment. Hopefully you aren’t overly fond of the little creatures, as unfortunately you can’t have one, and neither can we.

Apparently these were made only for select Target Team Members and unless you know someone… who may know someone… who really does know someone, then it’s unlikely the little creatures will be dangling from your Birkin. (This may be heresy to some, and we do apologize for disturbing anyone’s equilibrium, but TP actually does find this a whimsical accent to a Birkin bag, although we’re not seeing it with our Longchamps or Goyard.)

AP photo/Jason Bronis

And to all our fellow Americans coping with gas shortages that are being incredibly under-reported, we hear your pain. Ouch! As an FYI, Forbes has a story on it.

The scenes over the past several days in places like Nashville, Tenn., Anniston, Ala., and western North Carolina looked like file footage from 1979 – with bags over empty gas pumps and quarter-mile long lines of cars waiting to fill up at stations that hadn’t run out.

We close on an up note with word that our neighbors to the north will be able to order from Saks.com this holiday season. The retailer has finally made arrangements for shipping to Canada; it is long overdue.