Cathy Thompson
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cathlt.bsky.social
Cathy Thompson
@cathlt.bsky.social
Co -Chair, Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN) supporting African grandmothers and children. Proud mum of 3 and grandma of 5.
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Not all vaccines are geared towards treating viruses, bacterium or parasites. A new wave of shots to help treat cancer or fentanyl addiction are in development and trials. Here's what you need to know: bit.ly/3NGZ4lG
January 27, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
In northern Kenya’s Isiolo county, access to healthcare can mean crossing kilometres of rough terrain on foot. Here’s how one health worker’s pop-up clinics are helping reduce preventable illness and death by bringing care closer to home. bit.ly/4bmhSka
January 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
I spoke to CBC about the US completing its exit from WHO

A big loss for the US, WHO and the world- we are all less safe now

www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
U.S. withdraws from World Health Organization
The United States officially pulled out from the World Health Organization on Thursday, one year after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to do so. Experts warn the move will have s...
www.cbc.ca
January 24, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Read our latest, Small Sip on the importance of WASH. grandmothersadvocacy.org?mailpoet_rou...
January 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
“WHO regrets the United States’ notification of withdrawal from WHO – a decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe”

www.who.int/news/item/24...
January 24, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Education opens doors, even in the hardest places. On International Day of Education, UNICEF stands with children who are learning despite conflict and crisis. With the right supplies and safe learning spaces, education gives children hope and a pathway to a better future.
January 24, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Why would any country want a year-round preventable disease that harms kids?

"as the US passes the one-year mark, its measles-elimination status will probably end, a symbol indicating an expected wave of year-round preventable disease" @melodyschreiber.com

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
The return of measles: how a once-vanquished disease is spreading again
A year after the Texas outbreak began, new US cases reveal gaps in vaccination and rising risk for children
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Polio once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every year. Thanks to the global polio eradication efforts, cases have fallen by 99.9% since 1988.

But polio is not gone yet.

Dr. Jamal Ahmad explains why #EndPolio still matters and what’s at stake if we don’t finish the job.
WHO's Science in 5 - Polio: Almost gone, not finished - 16 January 2026
Episode #146 / Januray 16, 2026 / Poliomyelitis Polio: 99.9% Defeated. What Will It Take to End It for Good? This disease once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every year, striking fear into families across the world. Thanks to global vaccination efforts, cases have fallen by 99.9% since 1988. But polio is not gone yet. In this episode of Science in 5, we speak with Dr. Jamal Ahmad about why polio eradication still matters, how close the world truly is to ending this disease forever, and what’s at stake if we don’t finish the job. Polio spreads easily, respects no borders, and remains a threat as long as it exists anywhere. With only a few cases left in two countries, the tools, knowledge, and partnerships are stronger than ever—but sustained political commitment and global cooperation are essential. Ending polio would mean no child is ever paralyzed by this disease again—and billions saved for health systems worldwide. 👉 Make sure all children are vaccinated 👉 Call on governments to keep supporting eradication 👉 Get involved through partners like Rotary Because eradication is all or nothing—and we are closer than ever. More info: https://www.who.int/health-topics/poliomyelitis Activez les sous-titres dans VOTRE langue ! ¡Activa los subtítulos en TU idioma! Активируйте субтитры на ВАШЕМ языке! قم بتفعيل الترجمة في لغتك! 激活自动翻译功能,使用您的语言字幕! Aktivieren Sie Untertitel in IHRER Sprache! Washa manukuu katika lugha YAKO! अपनी भाषा में सबटाइटल सक्रिय करें! You can watch Science in 5 in your language by using the "Auto-translate" feature in YouTube: https://youtu.be/CHsrz1VV--g Activate the subtitles first and then choose your language! Go to bottom right of the video + Settings + Subtitles/CC + Auto-translate and then choose the language of your choice. Some other episodes were also published in these linguistic playlists: Spanish: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6hS8Moik7ktt7QccOeLSyI1agc6yRHjj French: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiIQJ9sPqPFxQyKvHIVxI-mbiTsAI6Six Portuguese: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6hS8Moik7kux2qXeA0jHCNyK4GVorTJM Thai: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9S6xGsoqIBXRQzSDOfFb13iPrbL8fgy1 Nepali: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv3LbY_wohnNmC0c5yAjlyYO-AsKynshD Maithili: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv3LbY_wohnOzLMPfIg4evuGnNUifuaXX Bahasa: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLekyghuTrqcaanPy2F-LiW368Emsg1A2J Tetum: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDj7fL7ecKij-CD-4DBTzPwg_tnFUOowt
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
“In high-income countries like Canada, vaccine misinformation and hesitancy have seriously undermined confidence in vaccines and contributed to lower vaccination coverage”

www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
Vaccination rates are slipping around the world. Canada isn't immune, says new study | CBC News
The pandemic dealt a heavy blow to vaccination rates, with an estimated 15 million children missing routine shots between 2020 and 2023, said an author of the study published in The Lancet. The world ...
www.cbc.ca
July 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
RFK Jr is a weapon of mass destruction

Kennedy Withdraws U.S. Funding Pledge to International Vaccine Agency www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/h...
Kennedy Withdraws U.S. Funding Pledge to International Vaccine Agency
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
This #WorldDrugDay, we call to expand access to lifesaving and gender-sensitive harm reduction & protect human rights. People who inject drugs are 5x more likely to be living with HIV, yet under 2% live in countries where Needle/Syringe Programs & Opioid treatment are available.
June 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
In 4 weeks, world leaders will join us in Brussels to decide whether to fund the next chapter in global immunisation.

500 million children in need of live-saving immunisations are counting on them to step up, because health equity starts with vaccine access. #ForOurFuture #VaccinesWork
May 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we honour the women and men who dedicate their lives to the truth.

They work tirelessly to keep us well-informed.

They hold power to account.

They speak up. They challenge the status quo.

And sometimes they pay the ultimate price for it.
May 3, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
When you cut funding for critical global good programs, expect bad things to happen

Increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks threaten years of progress, warn WHO, UNICEF, Gavi

www.who.int/news/item/24...
Increases in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks threaten years of progress, warn WHO, UNICEF, Gavi
Immunization efforts are under growing threat as misinformation, population growth, humanitarian crises and funding cuts jeopardize progress and leave millions of children, adolescents and adults at r...
www.who.int
April 24, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Canada's political leaders must stand up for humanity.

Do you agree?

Retweet this tile to let them know. 🇨🇦

Read our full statement here: www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/msf-to-canad... #cdnpoli
April 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
The U.S. government’s decision to end support for Gavi could deny millions of children routine #vaccinations.

While we do not accept Gavi funding, over half of the vaccines Doctors Without Borders use come from ministries of health that rely on it.

www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/us-de...
US decision to end support for Gavi puts millions of children’s lives at risk
It's estimated that more than 1.2 million children may die as a result of this political decision.
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
April 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
A message for #WorldHealthDay and every day.❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
April 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
“We visited a childhood malnutrition centre in a refugee camp,” Andy Harrington of Canadian Foodgrains Bank told the Whig-Standard. “There was absolute desperation in the faces of the people we met there, holding their children out to us…” #SudanFamine
www.thewhig.com/opinion/usai...
USAID cuts decimate Sudan famine relief
“We have all the ability in the world to report on and share what is happening in these settings, and we’re not."
www.thewhig.com
April 10, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
Make Compassion Great Again

Some ramblings on how we might survive the current wave of despair & darkness

communities.springernature.com/posts/make-c...
Make Compassion Great Again
communities.springernature.com
April 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
It is time to reimagine a world where compassion and international solidarity between communities once more trumps cynicism, mistrust. #AidWorks By @savechildrenintl.bsky.social

www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
In the face of foreign aid cuts, Canada must continue to show compassionate leadership for children
Already we have had to make heart-wrenching decisions to halt life-saving work.
www.thespec.com
March 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
"Knocking a hole in Gavi would not only undermine our security at home and result in millions of unnecessary childhood deaths and disablements. It would kick a great hole in the global economy - something that would impact every one of us" - Paul Nuki bit.ly/3FISAyP
Gavi does more than save the lives of children – cutting it will impoverish us all
Trump is poised to stop funding vaccines for developing countries. It’s a huge mistake for MAGA from an economic and security point of view
bit.ly
March 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
#USA: the decision to end support for Gavi puts millions of children’s lives at risk.

It's estimated that more than 1.2 million children may die as a result of this political decision.

www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/us-de...
US decision to end support for Gavi puts millions of children’s lives at risk
It's estimated that more than 1.2 million children may die as a result of this political decision.
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
March 27, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Cathy Thompson
You and I have plans this #WorldTBDay! ⏰🗓️

On March 24 we'll TAKE ACTION and raise awareness of the urgent need to #EndTB. How?
🏛️ visiting one or more of a record 50+ monuments across Canada lighting up in red
📱 posting a pic on social media and raising your voice to say #YesWeCanEndTB
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March 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM