By Dr. Andy Baldwin
Andrew Baldwin, M.D. is a physician and humanitarian in Washington, D.C. and was recently named the Global Network’s Grassroots Ambassador. He was also the star of ABC hit show, “The Bachelor: An Officer and a Gentleman.” Among his numerous acknowledgements, Dr. Baldwin has been honored by Outside Magazine for the humanitarian work he did in Laos on a military mission where he treated over 600 Laotians in remote villages.

I’m Dr. Andy Baldwin, Naval Officer and Physician, and I’m giving you an order.  Find me some spare change.  Do it right now.  Search for some coins on the dresser.  Reach into your pockets.  Dig in between the cushions in the couch.  Take that change out of your laundry money.

Have 50 cents yet?  It may seem negligible to you, but that 50 cents is powerful.  It can treat one of the 1.4 billion people worldwide suffering from these disabling, disfiguring, and deadly diseases.  Not just one disease, but that “pocket change” of yours can treat a person for the SEVEN most common neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) for an entire year.  Think about it– 1 in 6 people around the world should not be suffering from diseases that are so inexpensive to treat.

That is why I am so honored to be named a Grassroots Ambassador for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases.  As a Navy physician, and humanitarian I have seen with my own eyes the disfigurement, malnutrition and suffering that children throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America endure. I have seen bellies swollen, full of parasitic intestinal worms which prevent proper absorption of nutrition leading to stunted growth, and ultimately impaired development.  I have placed my hands on these bellies and felt the writhing invaders inside.   Capable of being eliminated with a simple pill that costs less than that can of diet coke you are drinking.   I have seen children afflicted with lymphatic filariasis which causes blockage of lymph channels and the disfiguring disease known as “elephantiasis.”  Those afflicted not only suffer extreme physical pain, but are frequently ostracized from society.

These diseases can be prevented with the change you just put in that tip jar.  The seven most common NTDs may have funny names- Ascariasis, Trichuriasis, Hookwork, Schistosomiasis, Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Trachoma- but what is important for you to remember is that they devastate the lives of over 1.4 billion people, and you can wipe them all out for an individual for just 50 pennies.

I believe in the power of grassroots efforts in America.  As we launch the Just 50 Cents Campaign on November 2, I am issuing a challenge see how many people you can reach with this message about NTDs and the power of what 50 cents can do.  Tweet it out.  Facebook it.  Join the Global Network. College and graduate students, I urge you to take part in the College Challenge, a fundraising and awareness contest that will run from November 2, 2009 – April 2, 2010.  For more information, go to the Global Network website.

Join me on along with millions across America in uniting together as individuals who want to end this neglect.    The next time you feed a parking meter, think of that child out there, suffering, who doesn’t have the medicine he/she needs.  You can save that child by putting 50 cents aside.  Join me.  End the neglect.

Watch the new Just 50 Cents video here!