The Gift of Life: Johnathan's Birthday Fund

Life is a precious gift. I've decided to use my 25th birthday as a way to give that gift to others.

My wife and I recently lost our twin baby girls, Pandora & Eloise. This experience stripped away our naivety around bringing life into this world. While at the same time, we discovered that we weren't alone. In the US, up to 1 in 4 pregnancies results in a miscarriage and 1 in 150 result in a stillbirth. We were able to find comfort among others who had experienced something similar. However, this is something that I wish no one would have to experience.

That's why I have chosen Helen Keller Intl, Ansh, and New Incentives as the charities for this fundraiser.

Helen Keller Intl partners with governments to distribute vitamin A supplements to children across Africa. A twice yearly dose of Vitamin A given to children for the first 5 years of their life has been shown to substantially prevent Vitamin A deficiency. Not only that but it can be delivered for as little as $1 a dose. That's as little as $10 per child. Vitamin A supplementation has been estimated to reduce childhood mortality by 4%–12%, depending on location.

Ansh focuses on neonatal mortality reduction in India. 22% of all newborn deaths in the world occur in India and 89% of these deaths happen due to low birth weight and preterm newborns. Ansh aims to reduce this by implementing Kangaroo Mother Care, which is continuous and prolonged skin-to-skin contact between the mother and the baby. They additionally pair it with exclusive breastfeeding and close monitoring of the baby. Kangaroo Mother Care has been shown to reduce the risk of mortality by 33% in low birth weight and premature babies.

New Incentives improves childhood immunisation rates in Nigeria by providing cash incentives to caregivers. It's estimated that 40% of the deaths of children under the age of 5 in Nigeria are caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. As of October 2025 New Incentives reports they have reached over 6 million infants. New Incentives estimates an infant can be enrolled in the program for as little as $14.80.

Here are links to each charity's page if you would like to learn more. - Helen Keller International - Ansh Neonatal Care - New Incentives

If you are not in a position to give anything right now, that's perfectly fine. I am hopeful that you having read this has opened a new perspective for you.

I am honoured kick things off with a $100 donation!

Thanks,

Johnathan & Genevieve