Your blanket will help a child stay warm and feel comfy and safe. Most importantly, your blanket will help to ward against pneumonia, one of the biggest killers of children under five in the developing world.

Runny noses and tummy aches are a common part of childhood. Dying from these easily preventable or treatable illnesses certainly shouldn't be. Tragically, 8.1 million children under the age of five die every year from illnesses like diarrhoea and pneumonia. That's why health has always been one of our global priorities.

Save the Children helps to build stronger health systems by providing facilities, practical equipment, transport and education. In remote communities we focus on training health workers to deliver life-saving health services. By getting involved with our campaign you are helping. Your blanket will help a child stay warm and feel comfy and safe. Most importantly, your blanket will help to ward against pneumonia, one of the biggest killers of children under five in the developing world.

At the end of our campaign, the knitted blankets will be distributed to mothers and children in our health programs across India, Cambodia & Laos. At times, they will be distributed by health workers, who deliver life-saving health services.

So, what is a health worker?

Health workers are amazing people, and this is why:

• They visit communities and provide simple but life-saving health services that families would otherwise go without. Imagine if you couldn't go to the doctor because it was just too far away.
• They provide vaccines and conduct check-ups for women - before and after they give birth. 
• They teach women about giving birth, breastfeeding, eating well and staying healthy. 
• They also advise families to go to the doctor if they need extra attention. 
• Although they are trained, health workers don't have to undergo expensive medical training. 
• They live in or close to the village that needs them. 
• They are trusted by women because they are familiar to them. 
• They can diagnose and treat preventable causes. 
• And they can cost as little as $150 to train and equip! Which is not a lot of money when you think of all the lives they can save.

Find out more about how health workers save lives.

Your blanket could help save a life. Get started on knitting your blanket by reading our Knitting Instructions or purchasing a Born to Knit Kit.