Hallmark, March 29, 2005

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The lives of an estimated 20 million newborns have been touched over the last 10 years by something as simple as a greeting card. Not the standard “congratulations-on-the-birth-of-your-baby" card, this card carries a powerful message to parents: Get your child immunized against serious illnesses.

The immunization card is part of a joint effort between Hallmark Cards, Inc. and the governors of 39 states now enrolled in the program. Through the For America’s Babies program, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, Hallmark donates customized cards to state governors’ offices. The cards, which include a detachable immunization schedule, will reach the parents of about 3 million children born this year alone.

"At Hallmark, we believe we can help give children a better shot at good health by doing what we do best – strengthening relationships,” says Brenda Calvin, community development program specialist. “Hallmark’s immunization greeting card gives governors a way to reach families with a message of encouragement to protect the health of their children through timely immunizations.”

It’s an important message. Our nation’s 79 percent immunization rate leaves more than 750,000 U.S. children under two years old vulnerable to preventable diseases. And with more than 10,000 babies born every day in our country, Americans face a serious challenge in trying to provide all children with the immunizations they need. For America’s Babies was developed in response to that challenge.

A Missouri beginning
The program began in 1995 when a Kansas City-based child advocacy organization approached Hallmark with an idea for increasing the immunization rate in Missouri. They proposed Hallmark design a baby congratulations card with an immunization record and personal message about the importance of immunizations from the late Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan and his wife, Jean. The cards were distributed to parents of children born in Missouri that year.

>From the volume of cards, letters and pictures appearing in Governor Carnahan’s office that year, it was clear the card was having a positive impact. Hallmark expanded the program to the state of Kansas in 1996. Based on the success of these two states and interest expressed by other governors, Hallmark made a commitment to donate cards to all interested states and territories beginning in 1997. That commitment now extends through 2010.

Currently 39 state governors have chosen to participate in the For America’s Babies program. Hallmark supplies the cards free of charge to each governor’s office, and the state coordinates delivery through hospitals, county health departments or direct mail.

"I applaud Hallmark’s commitment to make sure our kids grow up happy and healthy,” says Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

First Lady Jessica Doyle adds, “Immunizations are life-saving, and getting your child immunized is one of the simplest, most effective ways to ensure they get a healthy start in life. Jim and I are so grateful to Hallmark for teaming up with us to improve the lives of children.”
 
Facts about Hallmark’s
For America’s Babies program

• 39 states and territories are enrolled in the program in 2005.

• The program’s immunization message will reach the parents of approximately 3 million infants this year, an estimated 75-80 percent of all babies born in the United States.

• During the last 10 years, the program has reached the parents of an estimated 20 million newborns.

• The immunization card is redesigned every two years and features a detachable immunization record and growth chart. The 2005 design is new.

• The cards are produced in Hallmark’s production facility in Topeka, Kan., and shipped to each state free of charge.

• New Mexico, Florida, Texas and California have cards with bilingual messages (both English and Spanish).

• The Centers for Disease Control collaborates with Hallmark and reviews the immunization schedule each time it’s reprinted.

 

The following states and territories are participating in the For America’s Babies program in 2005:

 

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Delaware Florida Hawaii Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Maine Maryland Michigan Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada

New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Washington Wisconsin Washington D.C. American Samoa Puerto Rico