Friends Of Lead Free Children :: Helping to create an enviroment for children to archieve their full learning potential


	Friends of Lead Free Children is an approved 501 c 3 charity organization (ID 13-3782092) which, in collaborating with government and NGO organizations has established successful health related projects in developing countries and in New York City. Also, Friends of Lead Free Children has organizing several humanitarian missions to developing countries and is the largest contributor of medical and hospital supplies to the Dominican Republic. Friends of Lead Free Children established the first Lead Screen centers in the Dominican Republic. The Foundation is responsible for raising the awareness of the health damage done by Lead poisoning in several developing countries. The Foundation donated the equipment for the largest study of Lead poisoning ever done, Project Lead Free in India, which resulted in the hastening of several countries in the removal of toxic Lead from gasoline. Friends of Lead Free Children donated the equipment and training to establish the first Lead testing center in India at Saint John’s National Institute of Health which has grown to become the National Referral Center for Lead Poisoning Prevention testing site of India. The Foundation lobbied the World Bank to take actions to reduce Lead in gasoline in India and Asian countries. As a result of this persistent request, The World Bank along with the CDC, World Health, US Dept of Environment Protection, Friends of Lead Free Children and the George Foundation joined together to sponsor the largest international conference on Lead Poisoning ever held. Friends of Lead Free Children with the George Foundation were given the role to organize this conference, held in Bangalore, India in 1999. At this conference where over 85 Lead experts spoke, India announced the banning of Lead from gasoline and this was followed by 6 other Asian countries over the next year. Presently, Friends of Lead Free Children is expanding its “Nutrition for Life Health Program” it created to assist high risk pregnant women in having healthier babies. To date, Friends of Lead Free Children has given over 35 million free prenatal supplements to over 32,000 high risk pregnant women, most of whom live in unhealthy toxic environments. Founder of the largest private Health program in the Dominican Republic “Nutrition for Life Health Program” 28 maternity hospitals and community health clinics countrywide 32,000 high risk pregnant women benefiting 35 million free special prenatal supplements given out Donation of the most containers to the Dominican Republic (24 since 1993) filled with medical and hospital supplies and equipment, ambulances, and school supplies and school equipment. Inauguration of the first countrywide testing program of young children for learning disabilities in the Dominican Republic Primary advocate for the clean up of the World’s most Lead toxic site, Haina. Successfully, lobbied for 13 years to have toxic site cleaned and made save for children in Haina. Inauguration of first free school program for “breakfast” given to young school children, along with vitamin and mineral supplements and one piece of fruit each day. Major donator of school supplies to the young school children of Haina and the orphanage SOS in Capital. Accomplishments: Established first Lead screening programs in the Dominican Republic, Thailand, and India 1993-99. Supplied equipment and supplies to the George’s Foundation for the largest lead study “Project Lead Free” of over 22,000 people in seven Indian cities 1997-99 Developed the protocol for the Indian multi-city study (largest study 22,000 ever completed on Lead poisoning). Wrote a comprehensive guide on lead poisoning in collaboration with leading experts in the field of Lead contamination 1995. Supplied million of special Iron pills to health clinics throughout the Dominican Republic 1997 Collaborated with St. Johns Medical College in India and the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to establish Lead research projects 1998-99.

	Originated and coordinated the largest Lead Conference, *Lead Poisoning and International Conference on Prevention and Treatment*, held on February 8th, 1999, in Bangalore, India. Collaborated with the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, The George Foundation, and the World Bank in organizing this conference. This conference lead to the government of India to ban Lead from gasoline, which was quickly followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, and Indonesia. Friends of Lead Free Children compiled and edited the papers presented at the conference in Bangalore India. The papers compiled represent the largest technical book on Lead poisoning in the World. The proceedings of the Conference can be read at www.leadpoison.net. 2000 In 1996 sponsored the Rozama Foundation to feed the families of Haina after Hurricane George. In 1996, discovered an illegal lead smelter in Haina, Dominican Republic and lobbied the government to shut it down. Sent emergency treatment to Dominican Republic which saved dozens of young children’s’ lives. In 1996, arranged for American doctors to come to Haina to screen all children for Lead poisoning and give treatment. In 1997, sponsored a team of six Lead specialists from the United States to teach government officials in the Dominican Republic about the dangers of Lead, and methods of removing Lead from gasoline. In 1999, inaugurated the first Lead Research Clinical Department in the Dominican Republic. In 1999, organized the shipment of free new medical supplies to five not-for-profit health clinics in the Dominican Republic In 2000, organized the largest private donation made to the government of the Dominican Republic. Four freight containers filled with new hospital equipment and supplies as well as an ambulance and special “heart and lung machine” used to perform open heart surgery on children. In 2000, provided Saint John’s Medical College in India with supplies to continue Lead research and screening in that country. In 2001, organized the shipment of two freight containers of medical supplies for several Not-for-Profits in the Dominican Republic. In 2001, developed the “Nutrition for Life” health program. Targeting newer immigrant pregnant women and high risk pregnant women living in developing countries. A special prenatal supplement will be given freely to prevent most birth defects and help assure healthier babies for these less privileged women. In 2001, assisted in development of an international Lead prevention “clearing house” and national lead “referral” for India web site. A team from Saint John’s Medical School in Bangalore, India and in collaboration with the George Foundation will maintain this site. In July 2001, donated 2.3 million prenatal supplements to the Dominican Republic. These prevention pills will be given freely to high-risk pregnant women from the poorer communities. In July 2001, donated a full container of hospital equipment to 3 health clinics located in the southern part of the Dominican Republic. September 2001, Established protocols for two studies ( India and Dominican Republic ) on new low cost chelation agent to remove Lead from children. September 2001 had established distribution centers for prenatal supplements at eight health clinics located in three cities of the Dominican Republic December 17, 2001 collaborated with Dominican Consul General is establishment of a Education Fund for surviving children of flight 587 program scheduled to be inaugurated February 22 , 2001 February 22, 2000 received award for Dominican Consul General for humanitarian work done. April 21, 2002 Program which was established by Friends of Lead Free in India gains grant to test young child in southern state of India Oct. 23,2002 manufactured 1 million Lead free prenatal supplements and shipped to the Dominican Republic Jan. 25, 2003 Delivered to La Ramada hospitals 500,000 prenatal supplements also delivered prenatal supplements and trained nurses of Haina community health clinic July 24 & 25, 2003 Organized and sponsored a seminar on “Having Healthy Babies” in the Dominican Republic. Over 400 government and education officials attended in Santo Domingo over 2 days July 24 & 25, 2003 Delivered 1 million prenatal supplements to five regional health clinics in two districts of the Dominican Republic September 7, 2003 organized the largest Latino family event in NYC “Children’s Health Festival” with over 350,000 attending. Free health information to all families attending March 11-14, 2004 First Humanitarian Delegation went to DR to inaugurate “Nutrition for Life” program in the Dominican Republic. Donated 5 million prenatal supplements to 15 health clinics and 3 hospitals in the country. June, 2004 –Sponsored Dominican child serious injured to come to Saint Michael’s Medical Hospital for operation and therapy. July & August 2004- Sponsored shipment of two containers of donated medical supplies and cloths for Dominican families suffering from Hurricane damage September 12, 2004- Sponsored and organized largest children’s health festival in US, with over 360,000 attending March 2, 2005- Inaugurated the Nutrition for Life program in Upper Manhattan and Northern New Jersey (Newark). Established two programs at health clinics where 200,000 prenatal supplements will be given freely to high risk pregnant women who are newer immigrants. March 9th, 2005- Sponsored and organized manufacturing and shipment of 6.2 million prenatal supplements to the Dominican Republic. Sponsored a humanitarian delegation to distribute prenatal supplements to 9 health clinics in that country. Inaugurated the Nutrition for Life program in Santiago. July 1, 2005- Shipped a full container of medicine/cloths aid to families in Haina, Dominican Republic Aug 3, 2005 – Organized a clothing drive for Haina and shipped full container of clothing and home items to the families of Haina, Dominican Republic Aug. 1, 2005- Sponsored three doctors from New Jersey to Dominican Republic who performed 82 surgeries in one week’s time Aug. 20, 2005- Donated full container of hospital supplies to the Governor of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. These new supplies were donated by Cornell Hospital in New York City. Sept. 12, 2005 organized the 6th annual Children’s Health Festival- in Washington Heights. Over 375,000 mostly Latino families attended and all the proceeds went toward the purchase of the prenatal supplements to assist high risk pregnant women in having healthier babies. Feb. 28, 2006 organized the Salute the Unsung Hero event during Dominican Independence Week. Had flow from Santo Domingo, Sandra Castillo, to be honored for her efforts to advocate for all the poor families living in Haina, DR to have an illegal battery smelter closed and the site made safe for the children. Also, honored was Johanna Losman, from Saint Michael’s Hospital who over the past 12 years has organized may life saving treatments for young Dominican children. March 8-12, 2006 sponsored a Humanitarian delegation to the Dominican Republic for the “Nutrition for Life” program. Donated 6.2 million prenatal supplements to 18 health clinics throughout the country. Expanded the program to add Palenque, Banao, Monti Cristi, and clinics in the capital administered by the Mayor’s office. For the 3rd straight year, working in collaboration with the University of Autonoma De Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, expanded a countrywide “prenatal supplement” health program to prevent birth defects in high-risk poor women. March 20, 2006 Helped organize a grade school in East Orange, New Jersey, to adopt a small village in Haina. The school will conduct a clothing drive as well as toy drive scheduled for July. Also, the 5th graders will write stories in Spanish and send them to the kids of Haina. June 6, 2006 Arranged for Haina advocate, Sandra Castillo to travel to New York to accept award from college students for her community work and to meet the grade school students at Jefferson grade school in East Orange, NJ. Collected cloths and medical supplies for Haina and shipped them July 18, 2006. November 1, 2006- Established a new health program with a grant from the New York City Council and administered by the New York City Department of Health. “Nutrition for Life Targeting High Risk Pregnancies in the Haitian Community of Brooklyn – Successful Approach to Reduce Infant Mortality and enhance the chance of having healthier babies in the framework of a Comprehensive. January 31, 2007- Friends of Lead Free Children and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in collaboration with the Haitian Centers Council, Inc and Dr. Daniel Faustin, a well known Haitian Obstetrician, organized an Important Seminar about Lead Poisoning – Toxic transmission from the pregnant woman to the fetus and to baby from mother’s milk. Held at Kings County Hospital Center. March 7, 2007 Humanitarian Delegation donated 5 million prenatal supplements to “Nutrition for Life Health Program “in the Dominican Republic. The largest private health program was expanded to 5 new health clinics throughout the country. Also, donated a full container of medical and hospital supplies to 8 hospitals and health clinics. Aug, 2007 Donated 2 containers of medical, hospital and school supplies to Dominican Republic. Also, inaugurated a new grade school breakfast program in Haina. The primary sponsor was White Rose Foods who donated 30,000 breakfasts for the school children. Staples also donated school supplies and back packs for all the grade school children living in Haina. Sept, 2007 Second year for Nutrition for Life in New York City with the Department of Health. Citywide PSA on preventing Lead poisoning as well as free prenatal supplements for high risk populations living in Brooklyn, New York. Seminars planned for medical personnel dealing with healthy babies and the environment held at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn October 2007 container of medical and school supplies donated to Mayor of Puerto Plata by Friends of Lead Free Children. November 2007, co sponsored donation of medical supplies to small community underserved health clinics in Dominican Republic. Partnered with Dominican Golf Association and Saint Michaels Medical Center to send much needed Antibiotics to help the victims of Tropical storm Noel. November 2007, co sponsored Thanksgiving dinners to 250 needy families living in Upper Manhattan. Partnered with Washington Heights Multi Culture Center and Dominican Golf Association. December 2007 thru February 2008- Designed and illustrated a children’s coloring book describing the history of Haina and methods a family can limit Lead exposure to children in their environment. Printed 1,000 copies for the children of Haina as well as donating 1000 boxes of crayons donated by Staples. January 2008- Inaugurated Nutrition for Life Health Program at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Donated 88 cases of special Lead Free Calcium prenatal supplements to assist in high risk pregnant women in having healthier babies. February 23, 2008 Salute Unsung Hero awards dinner honoring 2 volunteers who gave their time to benefit the Dominican community. March 26-30, 2008 Fifth Humanitarian Delegation to Dominican Republic. Sent 2 containers with medical and hospital supplies to DR. Shipped 5 million prenatal supplements for Nutrition for Life program in DR. Held press conference in Haina at toxic site of closed battery recycling plant. Gave 1,000 coloring books to children on Haina. Donated supplements to major maternity hospital in Capital. Inaugurated Nutrition for Life program at large orphanage in Capital. Donated hospital and medical supplies to major hospital in Capital. March 2008 Donation of an Ambulance to the Manuel Jimenez Foundation for the region in the Capital City of Minas. Aug 2008- Donation of full container to charity foundations in DR. Friends of Lead Free Children with Staples donated 1,000 school bags to small Haina school and Orphanage in Capital. Also, donated with Inca Cola, 500 pairs of kid’s shoes to small school in Haina and SOS orphanage in Capital. Donated wheelchairs and hospital equipment to YMCA and 3 other foundations. Aug 2008- Met with University of Autonama Santo Domingo’s new Directors to plan collaboration of new educational program called Levantando Estrellas for the children of Haina. This new educational program was specially developed to address the learning disabilities caused by the high lead exposure in the children. During this trip, one of the creators, Johanna Garcia met with the teachers of the grade school in Haina to begin training them in the new program. Another meeting is planned for Dec. to begin evaluations of the small children and more training of the teachers. September 2008- Organized a seminar at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. Dr. Ted Lidsky, neuroscience specializes in neurotoxicolgy and prenatal and postnatal exposure- Topic was “biological mechanisms of lead’s low level effects. How Lead damages the brain, and why all levels of Lead exposure are toxic.” November 2008, co sponsored Thanksgiving dinners to 250 needy families living in Upper Manhattan. Partnered with Washington Heights Multi Culture Center and HealthFirst November 2008- advocated for cleanup of toxic site in Haina. Meet with new Minister of Environment, Jaime David Fernandez, who pledged to begin full cleanup of Haina site. Dec, 1, 2008 – Team of experts in toxic waste cleanup from Blacksmith Institute and UN arrive in Dominican Republic to begin cleanup and testing of Haina Lead site. March 2009- Humanitarian delegation delivered 5.6 million prenatal supplements to Dominican Republic for “Nutrition for Life Health Program” Inaugurated two new sights for Nutrition for Life Health Program, San Pedro de Marcoris and Santiago. March 2009- Lecture at University of Autonama De Santo Domingo for Education Dept., topic “Challenges in reform of Education” , Council Member Robert Jackson , chairman of Education committee in city council guest speaker March 2009- Organized collaboration with UASD to begin developing testing program to identify “learning disorders” in very young children.