THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 20, 1995 TAG: 9510180133
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
On Oct. 21, local Kiwanis clubs will observe Kiwanis Worldwide Service Day with a particular goal in mind: to wipe out iodine deficiency disorders.
Iodine deficiency disorders can cause stillbirths, mental and physical retardation, and a wide variety of other serious disabilities. While the disorder is rare in industrialized nations where iodized salt is generally used, it affects about 1.5 billion people in underdeveloped countries.
``This is a great program,'' said Dean Burgess, president of the Kiwanis club of Portsmouth. ``It's a program that you can succeed in doing. We can eliminate a major scourge of the Third world.''
The Kiwanis Clubs, an international organization, in conjunction with UNICEF, have pledged to raise $75 million to help IDD-affected nations produce and distribute iodized salt, provide remedial medical treatment, and educate at-risk populations about the value of iodized salt.
The Portsmouth Kiwanis club, through donations from club members, has raised about $300.
The Kiwanis Club of Churchland will participate by distributing literature and requesting donations in shopping areas throughout Chesapeake on Oct. 21. by CNB