Post by HollymCombs on Mar 12, 2008 17:23:30 GMT -5
TropIKA – When and how did neglected diseases first enter your life and start catching your attention?
Alyssa Milano – I first learned about NTDs while at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2006 where Dr Peter Hotez (Chairman and founder of GNNTDC) hosted a panel on NTDs. I was able to have a one-on-one conversation with Dr Hotez in which he educated me about these debilitating, parasitic and bacterial infections that impact 2.7 billion people in 142 countries. I was struck by the fact that I had travelled the world on humanitarian missions since 2000 and hadn’t heard of these diseases despite the broad scope of those affected.
TpK – In June 2007 you were named Founding Ambassador of GNNTDC. How would you evaluate this experience so far?
AM – My experience as Founding Ambassador of GNNTDC has been inspiring and humbling. To be able to use my voice to create awareness and empower people about NTDs has been extremely rewarding. I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to be the voice for those who have no voice. In the future, I hope to make field visits to further my knowledge on the social stigma and struggle associated with NTDs.
TpK – What do you believe to be the major current hurdle on the way of fighting NTDs?
AM – I think the major hurdle in fighting NTDs is a lack of awareness and funding. If people knew that NTDs perpetuate the cycle of poverty (these diseases flourish best under conditions linked to poverty and impact economic productivity), that there is evidence that indicates that controlling neglected tropical diseases would greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality of malaria and reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS, and how little money it takes to control NTDs (each dollar can provide treatment for two people for seven diseases for one year), then there is no way they would not want to do their part in eradicating NTDs.
TpK – Although there are quite a lot of Hollywood actors and actresses, as well as other public celebrities involved with charity works and philanthropic actions, usually they are more involved with other kinds of humanitarian calamities (war refugees, natural disasters, political and ethnic genocide, hunger, etc). In your opinion, why do NTDs not attract more people to fight for its cause?
AM – I don’t know why more celebrities aren’t involved in the fight against NTDs. I can only think it’s because they may not know NTDs even exist. I hope more celebrities will get involved though.
TpK – Your first action as ambassador was to donate $250,000 of your own money to the charity’s Drug Fund, to be used to battle lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Myanmar. What follow-up information have you had about this donation?
AM – We are awaiting the official report from WHO on how successful we were in treating those in Myanmar afflicted with lymphatic filariasis from my donation.
TpK – What about your scientific background? Did you have to brush up your science skills in a more academic way or did you manage to grow your scientific knowledge by your own?
AM – Dr Hotez gave me an extensive crash course in parasitic and bacterial infections.
TpK – What do you think of the current media coverage on NTDs?
AM – In my opinion, there is not enough media coverage on NTDs. President Bush’s announcement of the Global Initiative To Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases was a step in the right direction, but media outlets didn’t cover this story as extensively as they should have.
TpK – Have you read the last PLoS NTDs Editorial Opinion from Dr Peter Hotez – ‘Reinventing Guantanamo: From Detainee Facility to Center for Research on Neglected Diseases of Poverty in the Americas? What is your opinion about that?
AM – I have read the article. I agree wholeheartedly that reinventing Gitmo to address neglected health problems could change America’ reputation in that region. ‘It is a moral outrage that a wealthy country like the United States allows its closest neighbors to suffer from some of the world’s worst levels of disease, poverty, and malnutrition.’ Powerful words from a passionate man.
TpK – What are your personal goals for 2008?
AM – My goal in 2008 is to continue educating people on NTDs. By doing so, I hope to bring these issues to the forefront of our philanthropic vernacular so we can soon be on the path of eradication.
TpK – If you, as ‘Phoebe Halliwell’, could have illimitable magical powers, what you might do in order to tackle the defying problem of global NTDs?
AM – If I could have a magical power, it would be the power to heal
Alyssa Milano – I first learned about NTDs while at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2006 where Dr Peter Hotez (Chairman and founder of GNNTDC) hosted a panel on NTDs. I was able to have a one-on-one conversation with Dr Hotez in which he educated me about these debilitating, parasitic and bacterial infections that impact 2.7 billion people in 142 countries. I was struck by the fact that I had travelled the world on humanitarian missions since 2000 and hadn’t heard of these diseases despite the broad scope of those affected.
TpK – In June 2007 you were named Founding Ambassador of GNNTDC. How would you evaluate this experience so far?
AM – My experience as Founding Ambassador of GNNTDC has been inspiring and humbling. To be able to use my voice to create awareness and empower people about NTDs has been extremely rewarding. I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to be the voice for those who have no voice. In the future, I hope to make field visits to further my knowledge on the social stigma and struggle associated with NTDs.
TpK – What do you believe to be the major current hurdle on the way of fighting NTDs?
AM – I think the major hurdle in fighting NTDs is a lack of awareness and funding. If people knew that NTDs perpetuate the cycle of poverty (these diseases flourish best under conditions linked to poverty and impact economic productivity), that there is evidence that indicates that controlling neglected tropical diseases would greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality of malaria and reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS, and how little money it takes to control NTDs (each dollar can provide treatment for two people for seven diseases for one year), then there is no way they would not want to do their part in eradicating NTDs.
TpK – Although there are quite a lot of Hollywood actors and actresses, as well as other public celebrities involved with charity works and philanthropic actions, usually they are more involved with other kinds of humanitarian calamities (war refugees, natural disasters, political and ethnic genocide, hunger, etc). In your opinion, why do NTDs not attract more people to fight for its cause?
AM – I don’t know why more celebrities aren’t involved in the fight against NTDs. I can only think it’s because they may not know NTDs even exist. I hope more celebrities will get involved though.
TpK – Your first action as ambassador was to donate $250,000 of your own money to the charity’s Drug Fund, to be used to battle lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Myanmar. What follow-up information have you had about this donation?
AM – We are awaiting the official report from WHO on how successful we were in treating those in Myanmar afflicted with lymphatic filariasis from my donation.
TpK – What about your scientific background? Did you have to brush up your science skills in a more academic way or did you manage to grow your scientific knowledge by your own?
AM – Dr Hotez gave me an extensive crash course in parasitic and bacterial infections.
TpK – What do you think of the current media coverage on NTDs?
AM – In my opinion, there is not enough media coverage on NTDs. President Bush’s announcement of the Global Initiative To Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases was a step in the right direction, but media outlets didn’t cover this story as extensively as they should have.
TpK – Have you read the last PLoS NTDs Editorial Opinion from Dr Peter Hotez – ‘Reinventing Guantanamo: From Detainee Facility to Center for Research on Neglected Diseases of Poverty in the Americas? What is your opinion about that?
AM – I have read the article. I agree wholeheartedly that reinventing Gitmo to address neglected health problems could change America’ reputation in that region. ‘It is a moral outrage that a wealthy country like the United States allows its closest neighbors to suffer from some of the world’s worst levels of disease, poverty, and malnutrition.’ Powerful words from a passionate man.
TpK – What are your personal goals for 2008?
AM – My goal in 2008 is to continue educating people on NTDs. By doing so, I hope to bring these issues to the forefront of our philanthropic vernacular so we can soon be on the path of eradication.
TpK – If you, as ‘Phoebe Halliwell’, could have illimitable magical powers, what you might do in order to tackle the defying problem of global NTDs?
AM – If I could have a magical power, it would be the power to heal
