Photo credited to UN Foundation.

That is about the time it takes to read the first paragraph of this post. A life has gone that could have been saved by a mere $20. The cost of buying two tickets to a movie, a bottle of wine or a birthday present for a child. That is it. But to many people around the world, that is everything.

Over the last two days I had the honor of attending the UN Foundation’s Summit as a Shot@Life Champion who in the coming months will be one of 45 citizens across the nation championing this great cause in saving lives around the world. Through raising awareness and funds for four life-saving vaccines, it is our hope that we can galvanize the nation so that no child around the world will not have a Shot@Life. A shot to reach these important milestones that many of us Americans take for granted.

So why does it matter? I can tell you exactly why.

Imagine giving each child around the world something that many on us in the western world takes for granted: A shot at life.

A shot to….

Give your parents a first smile.

Take your first steps.

Give a hug and kiss goodnight.

Say your first words.

Celebrate your first birthday and reach the next.

Read your first books.

Ask your first question.

Loose your first tooth.

These are the first’s for my children that I want to help give to every child around the world:

Max’s first breakfast of solid foods: 3 months

Max’s morning smiles: 4 months

Max’s first summer: 6 months

Sophia’s first day

Sophia’s first “car” ride: 6 months.

Max and Sophia’s first meeting with their Great Grandfather

Sophia’s first time on the potty: Twelve months

Imagine a world where these firsts were available to any child no matter where he or she lived.

Imagine a world where each child had a shot at life.

This is the hope and mission of the UN Foundation’s new campaign, Shot@Life. In the next few months, I plan to bring you along with me on this journey at saving millions of children who die from preventable diseases. To give them the Shot@Life they deserve.

How can you help? Follow me on this journey. Share these posts with others. Spread the word. And you can help save lives too!

What do you think every child should have a shot at?

To learn more about Shot@Life, please visit their website and sign up!

(Prepared by Jill Barth)