The Empty Chair at Thanksgiving: A Call to Action on Giving Tuesday

Picture this: It’s Thanksgiving Day, and the whole family is gathered around the table. The turkey is perfectly roasted, the stuffing is mouthwatering, and the aroma of pumpkin pie fills the air. Laughter and joy fill the room, but there’s one conspicuous absence-an empty chair that represents the thousands of women who will never join their families at the Thanksgiving table again. Why? Because of maternal mortality.

Maternal mortality is a silent epidemic that affects countless families across the world. The maternal mortality rate has nearly doubled since 2018 from 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births to 32.9 in 2021. Shockingly, rates for Non-Hispanic Black women are nearly 3 times higher (69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births) than that of Non-Hispanic white women. The staggering statistics reveal a harsh truth: health inequity robs us of mothers, daughters, and sisters every day, leaving empty chairs at our most cherished gatherings.

On Giving Tuesday, November 28th, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the fight against maternal mortality. Giving Tuesday is a global movement that encourages people to give back and support causes they are passionate about. At the heart of this initiative lies the opportunity to fill those empty chairs with hope and action.

Imagine the joy of knowing that your contribution can prevent another family from experiencing the heartache of an empty chair at Thanksgiving. Your donation can provide access to essential healthcare, education, and resources to women who need it the most. It can help save lives, ensuring that no family has to celebrate Thanksgiving without their beloved mothers.

So, what can you do to make a meaningful impact this Giving Tuesday? DSMAP is a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to address maternal mortality and health inequity. They are on the frontlines, fighting to save lives to create a world where no one has to face an empty chair on Thanksgiving.

Your donation can make a real difference. Visit https://www.drshalonsmap.org/take-action today and give what you can to support the cause. Let's come together this Giving Tuesday to ensure that maternal mortality becomes a thing of the past, and no more families have to set an empty chair at their Thanksgiving table.