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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2003

Ramy Brooks wins $500 in “I did it by two” vaccination campaign

Campaign focuses on increasing immunizations for Alaska kids 0 to 2.

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Ramy Brooks, 2d place finisher in the 2003 Iditarod Dog Race is the winner of the “I Did It By Two!” cash prize of $500. Many hours of hard work, dedication and sacrifice made Ramy a top contender in the Iditarod. A little luck and outfitting his dogs with official “I Did It By Two!” dog vests at the ceremonial start of the “last great race” has earned Ramy Brooks a $500 cash award.

“$500 buys a lot of dog food and protects one child from deadly vaccine-preventable diseases,” Melissa Iverslie, Chair of the I Did It By Two Campaign and Health Program Manager II for the Alaska Dept. of Health & Social Services.

The “I Did It By Two!” campaign focuses its efforts on increasing immunization coverage in Alaska’s 0 to 2 year-old population. The cost of fully vaccinating a child in Alaska by age two is approximately $600. Alaska, a universal vaccine provider state, purchases the vaccines and distributes them to all qualified vaccine providers at no cost. During 2003 the Program will distribute over 6 million dollars worth of vaccines to health care providers throughout the state.

“I Did It By Two!” is the link to the historic diphtheria vaccine run from Anchorage to Nome. The run, brought life saving diphtheria vaccine to a community that was in the midst of an outbreak that had already killed several children, and the current running of The Iditarod Dog Race. Originally developed by a group of nurses in Alaska the “I Did It By Two!” campaign eventually became part of the Vaccinate Alaska Coalition, Alaska’s statewide “all-ages” immunization coalition.

For additional information on “I Did It By Two!” please visit the official Iditarod web site . For information on where to get immunizations, vaccine safety, school and child care immunization requirements please call the Alaska Immunization Hotline at
1-888-430-4321, or your local healthcare provider.

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For more information, please contact

Sherry Hill, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Communications
(907) 465-1611

Or

Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
(907) 465-1611