I must take issue with the suspicions about the funding source for the US
National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign that Valerie continues to voice.
Many of the best minds in the breastfeeding field were deeply (daily)
involved in the development of this campaign. The BF experts involved looked
into the funding, scrutinized the philosophy, explored all the connections,
discussed the ideas with the ad agencies and government folks, wrote
letters, attended many meetings, and far more. Literally, no stone was left
unturned in developing this campaign. Not all of the inner details will
become public, which is to be expected in any large operation.
As lactation professionals and breastfeeding advocates, (some of us have
been deeply involved in this for decades), we are acutely aware of financial
linkages that undermine breastfeeding for corporate profit. I personally
wasn't "in" on all the meetings, but I know many of the people who were, and
I trust their expertise, knowledge, ethics, and experience completely. I
know enough of the details to be even more impressed with the integrity and
expertise of those involved. Some of those involved are individuals who have
been on the "firing line" for breastfeeding nationally and internationally
for decades, and know full well what the formula Industry is capable of
doing.
I do not wish to silence the "loyal opposition." Dialogue is good for all of
us. At some point, however, too much suspicion weakens the credibility of
the speaker and the argument, and legitimate concerns may be viewed as just
another instance of "crying wolf." That would be a great loss for everyone.
Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd
6540 Cedarview Ct, Dayton OH 45459
ph 937-438-9458 www.BFLRC.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Valerie W, McClain [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 8:30 AM
Subject: national breastfeeding awareness campaign
I believe that there will be a multitude of responses to the ads in the
Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign. I can look at a Jackson Pollack painting
and go
yuck. Someone else will think it spectacular art. I can read Hemmingway
and
think he is the greatest writer of our century. Someone else read it and
think it trash. If there is one thing about humanity that is consistent, it
is
our diversity of opinion, beliefs, hopes, and dreams.
What concerns me about this Ad Campaign, is that the breastfeeding community
has aligned itself in this campaign with a government agency that is run by
someone who is politically appointed. A person who is known for his
associations with multi-national corporations--particularly Nestle (as
Wsiconsin governor
he got into trouble because of his alliance with Perrier-Nestle company)
There is a write up on DHHS Secretary Tommy Thompson at the Foundation for
the
NIH (National Institute of Health) website. He was honoring 8 organizations
at
a "Innovation in Prevention Award" dinner. "The event was made possible by
the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and its benefactors:
American Association of Health Plans and Health Insurers Association of
America
member companies; Grocery Manufacturers of America, H.J. Heinz Company
Foundation, Kraft Foods, Mars Inc., Nestle USA, PEPSICO, Pharmaceutical
Reseach and
Manufacturers of America, Rodale Inc, The Coca-Cola Company and the Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Steinway & Sons."
http://www.fnih.org/news/hhspreventionawards_event.shtml
Is the desire to get help from the DHHS in regard to breastfeeding advocacy
rooted in the need for funding? If so, what will we be willing to
sacrifice
in order to get that funding? Will funding from a politically controlled
agency inable advocates to be able to say what they really think? Or will
criticism be muted in order to get that funding? When an agency is run by
people
who have "friends with benefits" in the corporate world, will breastfeeding
advocates who receive this funding be able to speak out critically? Or will
we
face an increasing battle to protect and promote breastfeeding?
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC
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