Salma HayekLOS ANGELES, Jan 12, 2008 / FW/ — Motherhood is probably one of the hardest jobs in the whole world, but each year 30,000 new mothers and 140,000 infants in developing countries die from tetanus, according to UNICEF.

Here in the United State, childhood immunization is routine. Unfortunately, it is not the same case in other countries.  “While significant progress has been made — last year Egypt and Zambia marked the elimination of tetanus — the disease is still a threat to women and children in more than 45 countries,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

With the goal of eliminating tetanus as a disease, UNICEF, together with Pampers launched “One Pack = One Vaccine” global initiative in 2006 in the UK and expanded in 2007 to other countries in Western Europe.

This year, the immensely successful program, which has already helped provide UNICEF with funding for more than 25 million life-saving tetanus vaccines distributed throughout Africa and Asia, debuts in the U.S. and Canada.

Academy Award winning actress and new mother Salma Hayek has joined the fight against tetanus by signing up to be the North American ambassador of the campaign, with the goal of providing at least 27 million more vaccines, which would bring the total global donations to more than 50 million vaccines.

“In our own small way, this is an opportunity for moms like me here in North America to help other mothers on a global level. I’m honored to work with Pampers and UNICEF to help raise awareness of this important program,” Salma Hayek said in a statement.

From April 1 through June 30, 2008, for every specially marked pack of Pampers product purchased in the U.S. and Canada, Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding for one life-saving tetanus vaccine for a mother in need worldwide.

Participating products include Pampers Swaddlers, Swaddlers Sensitive, Cruisers and Easy Ups diapers and Pampers Sensitive Wipes, Swipers and Clean n’ Go Wipes.  Pampers will donate five cents per product sold for a total donation anticipated to exceed $1 million.

Hayek will serve as the spokesperson for the Pampers/UNICEF partnership in the U.S. and Canada to help raise awareness of this program.

(Photo above: Salma Hayek, photo courtesy of Pampers)