news and media: news
January 2008
27 January, 2008 is World Leprosy Day
(Greenville, SC—January 22, 2008) For over 50 years, American Leprosy Missions (ALM) and similar organizations have celebrated World Leprosy Day, a day often overlooked in the United States.
ALM president and CEO Christopher Doyle believes in the importance of the day as it sheds light on a forgotten group of people. “World Leprosy Day is a time to pause and be thankful for all those people who have been cured of this dreaded disease that causes so much suffering. But it is also a time to remember the thousands of people who this year will contract leprosy and need access to the cure. We must never forget that leprosy is still a public health problem until the last case is found and cured,” he says.
Leprosy, affecting millions of people worldwide, is a human rights issue leading to devastating stigma and discrimination. In some places it is even seen as a curse. For many, a diagnosis of leprosy can lead to loss of work, exclusion from the community, or divorce. Many people therefore hide their symptoms for as long as possible, but delaying treatment can increase the likelihood of irreversible disfigurement and disabilities, which in turn make discrimination even worse.
ALM has been working tirelessly with those affected by leprosy for over 100 years. In 2007, ALM delivered the cure to approximately 24,500 people. But ALM offers more than the life-changing cure. ALM also provides physical rehabilitation, socio-economic assistance and spiritual encouragement. ALM offers scholarships to children and helps adults learn a trade so they can become self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency is not just about income. It is about restoring dignity and humanity.
ALM is dedicated to bringing attention to this much forgotten tragedy that is robbing so many of productive, fulfilling lives. On World Leprosy Day, we join the many voices that are crying out on behalf of those who can not be heard. We are calling on businesses, churches, schools and individuals to stand in the gap for so many who can not stand for themselves.
American Leprosy Missions is the oldest and largest non-profit organization in the United States providing cure and care to people affected by leprosy.
