News Release
June 26, 1996

State's Child Immunization Drive Nets GM Donation

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) today announced it received a $50,000 donation from General Motors Corporation to help immunize more children against preventable diseases.

"Early immunization for children under the age of two is one of the most important things we can do to protect them from potentially life-threatening diseases," said Governor John Engler. "This generous contribution from General Motors will help Michigan step up our efforts to raise our immunization rate of two-year-olds as quickly as possible."

With its donation, General Motors joins the Michigan Immunization Partnership, a growing list of more than 60 business, community, and health groups committed to assuring that Michigan's children two years of age and under are fully immunized.

The donation was presented by Kevin Anderson, General Motors Director of Health Care Initiatives and Joe Sproles, General Motors Regional Manager. Accepting were: Senator Robert Geake, R-Northville, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health; Representative Shirley Johnson, R-Royal Oak, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Health; and MDCH Director James K. Haveman, Jr.

"This contribution demonstrates General Motors' commitment to a healthy future for Michigan's two-year-olds," said Haveman. "This will go a long way toward helping us make sure that all Michigan parents, grandparents, neighbors, and friends are aware of the importance of immunizing our new babies as early as possible."

The Michigan Immunization Partnership was organized by Haveman as part of an all-out effort to improve the state's 64% immunization rate among children under two. "Our goal is to reach 100% percent as soon as possible," Haveman said.