Every Step Counts: A Special Project
Here is an example of philanthropy at work, and an opportunity for donor/investors to participate in cutting-edge medical research. The Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation (LCRF) was founded in 1973 by Nobel Laureate Bernard Lown (originator of the defibrillator) to improve cardiovascular health worldwide. In 2004, LCRF and Codman Academy, a Boston charter school, launched a special project, Every Step Counts (ESC), to test a method of combatting childhood obesity. Codman was chosen because its population is especially vulnerable — 33% obese, many overweight; 75% from poverty-level families; 82% African-American, 15% Hispanic—and its administration and faculty have strong leadership and were eager to address the issue head-on. So they did, starting with complete reviews of lifestyle and food habits in and out of school, engaging both students and parents in the discussions and methodology. They empowered the kids to take control of their own diets and exercise, got junk food out of the school, and provided incentives for behavior modification. This year one of the goals for the 40 ninth graders is to complete the program successfully and train to become peer mentors for next year's ninth grade. The pilot is working, but funding is a challenge. Please help.