Save the Children launched a new global initiative, chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, to save the lives of millions of children who die each year from treatable or preventable causes in developing countries.  

 The new initiative- Survive to 5- addresses the almost 10 million children who die every year before their fifth birthday, the subject of MDG 4 on child mortality. Most of these deaths are preventable with a package of low-cost health interventions such as immunizations, insecticide-treated bednets, oral rehydration therapy, and by making health care available to the poorest and most vulnerable mothers and children.  

In addition to raising funds, the initiative seeks to public support for the importance of child survival and other global poverty issues. Senator Frist is also a co-chair of the ONE Vote 08 initiative. 

“At least 30 million children will still be out of school in 2015 - most of them in poor, conflict-affected countries," says Simon Cowell, Acting Secretary General of the International Save the Children Alliance. 2015 is the target year for education for all and the Millennium Development Goals, a roadmap for ending poverty by 2015.