Helping CDC Protect and Advance Health With $400 Million Raised

Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has worked to partner the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with individuals, foundations, corporations and governments, raising more than $400 million and facilitating more than 700 programs to extend CDC’s life-saving public health work.

While these achievements are milestones for the CDC Foundation, CDC and our partners, these accomplishments are much more significant for the millions of people in this country and across the world who are living longer and healthier lives. Over the years, our programs partnering CDC with outside organizations have addressed a wide variety of public health priorities. These programs run the gamut from monitoring global tobacco use to helping reduce infections through safe injection practices to assisting organizations in preparing for public health crises.

When I joined the CDC Foundation as its executive director in 1995, I knew a significant portion of the job would require raising funds—a skill I had not developed at that time. Early on, I wasn’t sure where the first donations would come from, and there have been times since when I wasn’t sure where the next donations would come from either. What I have learned, however, is that the stellar and tireless work of CDC has created the opportunity time and time again for us to forge relationships with those of you who understand and value the important role the agency plays in the broader public health landscape.

In fiscal year 2013, the CDC Foundation had more than 200 programs underway with CDC, including those strengthening Haiti’s public health infrastructure, helping protect young athletes from concussions, increasing awareness about the importance of viral hepatitis screenings for baby boomers and preventing infections in cancer patients. See highlights in our fiscal year 2013 Report to Contributors, titled The Power of CDC and You.

Public health connects us all, and is vital to our nation’s health security and a healthy economy. I’m proud of the role the CDC Foundation plays in enhancing CDC’s ability to improve the lives of everyone, everywhere. We thank our contributors for their ongoing generosity, and look forward to celebrating many more milestones like this together as you continue to support us in advancing CDC’s critical work.