XDRTB.org
Since we launched the Path of the Blue Eye project in July, I have had the pleasure of being “introduced” to hundreds of organizations, individuals and initiatives as they have joined our movement via Twitter, Facebook and e-mail. Late last week while going through the profiles of those who are following the project’s Tweets on Twitter, I was attracted and moved by TLeonard’s focus on XDRTB.org. XDRTB.org was launched in 2008 to increase awareness of a deadly disease: multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis. According to the campaign’s Website:
“DR-TB and MDR-TB, the drug-resistant strains of TB, are much more difficult, and sometimes impossible, to cure. Cases of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extremely drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) have been found in almost every country of the world. It is not clearly known how far these strains have spread.”
Photojournalist James Nachtwey helped to launch XDRTB.org. He has covered some the world’s most intense social and political conflicts in more than 30 countries. He won the TED Prize in 2007 and asked that the money be dedicated toward raising awareness about the ravages of multiple drug-resistant TB. Medical technology firm Becton, Dickinson and Company is the primary sponsor of XDRTB.org.
XDRTB created a video montage of Nachtwey’s photos which is embeded below.
One of the objectives of the Path of the Blue Eye project is to spark creativity in health marketing communications campaigns by exposing poeple to new ideas. For me, being able to highlight XDRTB.org’s work serves as a validation of what we’re doing with the project. Before launching the project I had no idea XDRTB.org existed. Today I do, and I am happy I have the opportunity to share it with you.
As you look at these images about multiple drug-resistant TB, I ask you to think about the following:
- How can I use powerful photos, video and other visual communications mediums to communicate more effectively?
- What can I do to spread the word about XDRTB?
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