Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

	© UNICEF/04-1218/Vitale
	INDIA: A mother who is HIV-positive holds her newborn child, whose HIV status is not known. UNICEF is working with the government of India to develop expanded pre-natal services in state-run hospitals, including access to HIV testing for moms and their babies.

For the final 12 days of 2008, UNICEF celebrity Ambassadors and Supporters are posting daily blog entries about the impact UNICEF Inspired Gifts are having on children around the world. Téa Leoni continues her family's 50-year tradition of improving the lives of children worldwide by serving as a UNICEF Ambassador and board member of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

A mother will always do whatever it takes to protect her child from danger. And no mother would intentionally put her child in harms way. Yet every minute of every day, somewhere in the world, a child dies of AIDS-related causes and another child becomes infected with HIV—usually contracted during pregnancy, labor or delivery.

Providing moms-to-be with HIV/AIDS tests helps prevent HIV-positive mothers from unintentionally infecting their unborn children. And, you can help!

Your gift of $100.00 will provide 100 HIV/AIDS tests so expecting mothers can be sure they are doing whatever it takes to save their child.

This holiday season I ask that you be inspired to offer the best gift any mother can offer their child—a healthy start in life.

I am Téa Leoni, and I believe in zero.

25,000 young children die every day from preventable causes—things like malnutrition, poor sanitation and lack of safe, drinkable water. UNICEF believes that number should be zero.