Dear Lactnetters - Many of us have contacted Bill Gates in the past. A
recent post motivated me to do so once again (after I read their statements
at the link provided:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-gordon/bill-gates-invests-in-com_b_38676.h
tml) and I want to share what I wrote to him and Melinda via their
foundation. My hope is that many of you will use their below e-address to
do the same; the more, the better. Thanks - Lee
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From: Lee Galasso [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
<mailto:%5bmailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 12:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Opinion on investments
Dear Bill and Melinda Gates,
The responsibility you show by helping people around the world is wonderful.
You have the economic means to do what others can only dream of.
It has come to my attention that your foundation and/or your investments
involve the Nestle company and not the tobacco industry. That is
interesting to me because they cause different problems with different
populations. The first produces formula, Artificial Baby Milk (ABM), and
that concerns me because I know the harm it can cause for children; the
second concerns me because I know the harm it can cause for adolescents and
adults.
Your non-involvement with tobacco companies is appreciated; personally, as a
smoker, I suffered with the ill-effects of smoking for many years and am
doing much better since stopping 37 years ago. Please continue to avoid
that industry for the good of humanity.
Would you consider avoiding involvement with Nestle? Although their ABM
product can be useful in the rare cases when a child absolutely cannot be
breastfed, it is promoted by the company when that is not the case.
Millions of children die because of the use of ABM.You can check that out by
contacting the World Health Organization or UNICEF regarding nutrition for
children, ABM, and breastfeeding; also, the American Academy of Pediatrics
Section on Breastfeeding and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Those
organizations can give you many reasons why ABM is detrimental to the
development of children, causing many medical, physical, emotional, and
intellectual problems, which could be avoided if the babies were breastfed.
The unethical marketing of ABM by Nestle has prompted the boycott of all its
products, for years, by those who are aware. In many cases, Nestle will
provide free ABM for newborns. Once the mothers start using ABM, their
breastmilk diminishes in quantity at a steady rate until the supply totally
dries up. At that point, when the families cannot afford to purchase enough
ABM to adequately nourish their children, they are forced to stretch what
they can afford by watering it down. That leads to malnutrition and
diarrhea (sometimes due to the contaminated water used). To repeat:
Millions of babies die as a result, and many more become ill.
I am sure that you want to help the most vulnerable population in our world:
the children. They cannot stand up for themselves when they are infants and
toddlers; we, the adults, have to protect them. Will you please reconsider
your involvement with Nestle because of all of the above? I trust that you
will do what your heart dictates is necessary to protect the children.
Thank you for your time and attention regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Lee Galasso
Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC
Lactation Specialist
Lactation Center of Westchester/Putnam
Westchester County in NYS, USA
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