Many basic foods in the U.S. are fortified with vitamins and minerals, making vitamin A something we take for granted. But an estimated 190 million children around the world suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which weakens immune systems and makes it harder to recover from illnesses like malaria. A simple, cost-effective solution: One high-dose vitamin A capsule has been shown to reduce the risk of child mortality by 23 percent. Vitamin Angels' Operation 20/20 program currently works in 32 countries, reaching out to 10 million children and infants each year. In India alone, their goal is to reach 1 million children; the cost to get vitamin A to one child is 25 cents. Peer-to-Peer Match: The Spud will match the first $250 in donations to Vitamin Angels. Donate in any amount directly to Vitamin Angels by Friday and forward your gift confirmation to thespudorg@gmail.com. We'll match the donations in the order we receive the confirmations within 24 hours. Additionally, we'll donate $1 for each new Facebook fan we receive by then. To become a fan, click here. The Spud thanks Ratha Tep for sponsoring this challenge. UPDATE: This challenge has closed.
Photo credit: Vitamin Angels.
