Saving Mothers Research Team at Columbia (SMRT) General Body Meeting this Friday, January 29th, at 7:30 pm EAST RAMP LOUNGE in LERNER

CURRENTLY RECRUITING COMMITTEE BOARD MEMBERS

According to the World Health Organization, a woman dies every minute from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Ninety-nine percent of maternal and infant deaths occur in the developing world; because the formal health care system is not an option due to money and lack of transport, eighty percent of births are performed at home without the aid of health care professionals. Saving Mothers was founded in 2005 by Columbia University post- baccalaureate student, Nichole Young-Lin. In 2006, it won the UC Berkeley Chancellor's Big Ideas Competition, and received nonprofit 510(c)(3) status in January 2009. A group of Columbia University undergraduate students recently formed the Columbia University Chapter of Saving Mothers. This new SGB student organization aims to increase awareness of issues such as maternal and infant mortality through a number of student-run projects. Through the birthing kit initiative, students will be able to assemble and distribute birthing kits to promote safe, hygienic deliveries. Through the research network, students will have the opportunity to conduct research on women's health and the status of women worldwide. Saving Mothers hopes to spread awareness in the Columbia University community and take action to prevent maternal deaths worldwide.

For more information on Saving Mothers, please visit our website, *www.savingmothers.org*. If you have any questions or are interested in joining our chapter, please email Co-Presidents Christine Yeh and Jennifer Hou at *smrtcolumbia@gmail.com*.