If you want to be inspired, visit the website for Healthy Child Healthy World. Healthy Child Healthy World is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit moved by people who care deeply about children and who want to help in preventing the loss of any child to a world of environmental irresponsibility. Healthy Child Healthy World believes our environment must remain a promise to our children, never a threat and so it's important to be aware of the differences that can be made in the world to better our living and the lives of our children.

"Healthy Child is playing a leadership role in one of the most important public
 health and environmental movement of the 21st century."

In 1991, James and Nancy Chuda suffered the loss of their child Colette to Wilm's Tumor, a non-hereditary cancer. Following the inexplicable tragedy, the needless loss of their child to invisible causes and the lack of adequate information in providing answers, James and Nancy needed to understand how and why, when they had been so careful as parents, did the tragedy occur? 

"When children are stricken with cancer, you fight for their lives and look
 for reasons."

At the time of Colettes diagnosis with cancer at four years old, scientifically very little had been done to research the growing incident of childhood cancer and its link to environmental toxins. The environmental protection standards in the United States at the time hinged on inadequate research which only measured the potential effects of carcinogens on a 155-pound adult male. James and Nancy, "began to see that if the gap in research on environmental toxic impacts on children could be filled, perhaps more appropriate protection standards could be set, and growth in the incidence of childhood cancer might be checked."

An article published in 1995 in the American Journal of Epidemiology, "Parental Exposure to Pesticides and Risk of Wilm's Tumor in Brazil," stated the findings of a link between Wilm's Tumor and maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy. The study noted that, "the effects of pesticides could be mediated by mutations in germ cells, by exposure of the fetus in utero, or by exposure after birth from residues present in breast milk, in foods, in the home, or in the surrounding environment."

In the midst of grief, James and Nancy were approached by a close friend and neighbor, Marcy Hamilton. It was Marcy's suggestion that because, "'Colette's favorite color was green. She loved the park. She loved nature. Why don't you start an environmental fund?'" Because of the efforts of James and Nancy Chuda, there is so much hope today for children - hope that they will grow up healthy in a better world preserved by their parents and people who care deeply about their future.

"Children are our most precious resource and creating a world where they can flourish 
 is the best way to secure a healthy and bright future for us all."

Today America is seeing a drastic rise in chronic disease and illness like cancer, autism, asthma, birth defects, ADD/ADHD and learning and developmental disabilities. Healthy Child Healthy World was formed with the intention of providing reliable information and practical advice and to connect parents and caregivers, environmental groups, the scientific community and the media  - all people who care about making major changes in the community - so that they can work together. Healthy Child Healthy World is a movement made possible by "scientists creating solutions, physicians advancing the cause, activists spreading awareness, and parents implementing change to protect children's health." As an organization, they are helping to lead the way in creating hope for many people by making a profound difference in the environment and the way it is understood.

Their Purpose and Goals:

• Expand awareness and understanding of environmental hazards to children's health
• Help the public learn about healthier practices, solutions, and products in the marketplace
• Encourage daily action and informed lifestyle choices
• Create standards and policies for safer products, foods, materials, and chemicals used in the home - promoting safer options and new alternatives
• Advocate for and support corporate policies and governmental legislation that protect children from environmental risks
• Engage communities to make wise choices and responsible decisions so families can flourish

It began with a fight and the fight continues and is ever more impassioned today. Healthy Child Healthy World is making a major impact by creating awareness helping to improve the future now. Parents who have suffered the needless loss of a child to environmental illness or cancers, parents who were unaware of environmental risks, who were unaware that they could have made a difference now have an outlet and a way to make the difference for children and parents to be. Healthy Child Healthy World reaches out to you, to everyone - because everyone can make a difference. 

"We encourage you to join in our efforts in one of the most important public
 health and environmental movements of the 21st Century."