Charity
Laura Hughes
Charities Representative
charities [at] st-annes-mcr.org.uk
Each year, the St. Anne's MCR raises and donates money to two charities voted on by the MCR community. The charities selected for 2011 are the Stop TB Partnership and the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative. The MCR also regularly supports Cancer Research UK. For more information on the MCR's charity work, please contact our charities representative, Laura Hughes, by emailing charities [at] st-annes-mcr.org.uk.
Stop TB Partnership
This charity aims to eliminate TB as a global health problem by 2050. It is a global organisation, which aims to provide developing world government health programs with TB drugs through its Global Drug Facility. This is done in accord with the WTO 'DOTS' guidelines, which set out cost-effective ways to reduce deaths and health costs from TB. Most importantly, Stop TB is one of the few cost-effective charities in the world. It is estimated by the charity-auditing charity Give Well, that it saves a life for less than $1000. It is one of only four charities out of the 400 audited by Give Well that scores three out of three stars and is ranked second overall. On top of this, it has a significant funding gap, so the extra money is crucial.
Schistosomiasis Control Initiative
SCI was founded in 2002 and was originally focused on the control of schistosomiasis. Since then it has expanded its program in order to treat the seven most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These are a collection of serious diseases that are cheap to treat or prevent, but have not attracted the attention of donors and are thus chronically underfunded. Six of the seven diseases are caused by parasitic worms that live inside the body and cause symptoms ranging from general malaise through to kidney damage, intestinal damage, disfiguration of the limbs, blindness, and death.
SCI focus on the treatment of NTDs through the use of rapid impact packages, a combination package of four or five drugs. Generally, this involves supplying schools with the drugs, and training teachers in how to administer them. This is so cheap and effective that it has often been called the 'best buy in public health'. SCI currently works in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. With additional funding, they aim to expand coverage to other areas in Africa.
Cancer Research UK
St. Anne's actively supports Cancer Research UK in leading the fight against cancer. In 2008, events were held to raise funds and awareness for this organisation, including a BBQ lunch in college and participation in the Race for Life by some members of the MCR. The same events were held in the Trinity term of 2009 and raised over £1,300 for Cancer Research UK. In 2010 the total raised by these events was £1,438.
The 2011 Race for Life and BBQ will take place on Sunday June 26. Both are a great deal of fun and a great way to enjoy the beautiful University Parks and the Oxford sun. Ladies, we hope that you will sign up here!
