The Pulse

Level 6

Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) did something it has never done in its 41-year history: It announced its first flu pandemic by raising its alert system to Level 6 -- indicating that, in fact, a global outbreak exists.

It is important to note, however, that the alert system indicates scope rather than severity. To date, nearly 30,000 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) have been reported in more than 70 countries worldwide. Naerly 150 people have died from the virus.

There are easy ways to prevent the spread of the outbreak.

Through May 31, Heart to Heart launched an awareness campaign, translated prevention materials into multiple languages, and shipped protection equipment to hospitals and clinics affected by the outbreak in the U.S., Mexico and Guatemala. Additional shipments are on the horizon.

Because of your support and action, we have been part of the global effort to contain the H1N1 virus. More work is waiting, and the virus could mutate over the summer into something much more dangerous during the tradition flu season in the fall.

We need your continued support. Help us contain this deadly virus by making a donation today.

Remembering China: One Year Later

One year after a massive earthquake struck Sichuan Province in southwestern China, residents are still recovering. It was on May 12 near the city of Beichuan that a magnitude-7.8 quake leveled towns and buried residents. In the end, it left more than 90,000 dead or missing and nearly 5 million homeless.

Heart to Heart was one of the first groups on the scene. Our medical staff in Chengdu quickly mobilized for action and joined the Chinese Red Cross in providing emergency care for survivors.

We were able send a GO Team of 30 U.S.-based volunteers and several additional staff members to help coordinate the unprecedented relief effort.

Within 30 days of the disaster, Heart to Heart had mobilized nearly 4,000 China-based volunteers to assist in delivering relief supplies to villagers trapped in mountains and hillsides of Sichuan.

Thanks to grants from companies like FedEx and New York Life, we have continued to focus our efforts on disaster-readiness training over the past year.

We are remembering China today, as the nation marks the one-year anniversary of the Beichuan earthquake.

On May 22, another Heart to Heart team will travel to Chengdu and help lead training exercises on pandemic preparedness and emergency-response coordination.

You can support the team's efforts by making an online donation today.