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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA)

@motherchild.bsky.social

510 followers 860 following 590 posts

We provide life-changing support for moms who are living with HIV—and work to protect newborns throughout Illinois from HIV and perinatal infections. linktr.ee/motherandchildalliance

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · Dec 21

🧵 Making sure babies are born healthy—free of HIV and other preventable perinatal infections—has been at the heart of our mission for more than two decades since we were founded under our original name, Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative.

A montage of four photos showing a baby smiling happily, wearing different outfits and in different settings.

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

Let’s keep the positive momentum going by spreading the word and making sure moms-to-be get the information and support they need, so they can keep themselves and their babies healthy. Visit motherandchildalliance.org to see our latest efforts and some of the ways we can help! 7/7

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

When we meet people with understanding instead of judgment, prevention becomes possible for every mom, baby, and community. 6/7

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

Which means that it’s important for the focus not to be placed on failure or blame ... it’s about the potential to turn things around. Timely screening and treatment are all it takes to turn a statistic into a success story. 5/7

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

The good news is that the existing treatment and testing we have are effective. The problem lies with awareness and access to proper prenatal care. What we’ve learned over many years remains true: when you fix barriers to access, you change the outcome. 4/7

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

The reality is that most pregnant people who transmit syphilis to their babies never knew they were infected, never had symptoms, or never got screened at the right time. 3/7

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that presents as a small painless sore — and it’s often overlooked due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. In fact, it’s so easy to miss that it’s estimated that 40% of people who are infected with syphilis don’t know it. 2/7

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15h

🧵 Here’s something most parents don’t know: Nearly 9 out of 10 cases of congenital syphilis in the US could have been prevented with timely testing and treatment. 1/7

Graphic that shows a photo of two parents with a baby, all smiling. Text reads, In the US, nearly 9 out of 10 cases of congenital syphilis could have been prevented with timely testing and treatment. There is hope.

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 3d

It’s simple to join our #25FOR25 challenge:

1. Visit our donation page at givemaca.givevirtuous.org/donate
2. Choose your donation amount
3. Select the “Make Recurring Gift” checkbox
4. Know that you’re helping us keep showing up for the families who need us.

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 3d

🧵 To mark 25 years of impact, we’re inviting supporters to join our #25FOR25 challenge by signing up for a small monthly gift to sustain our work into 2026 & beyond.

Your monthly donation, no matter the size, helps us provide trusted care, resources & support to moms and babies across Illinois. 1/2

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 5d

3/3 When Dr. Scholl passed away in 1968, he left the bulk of his estate to the Foundation, which has continued Dr. Scholl’s generosity by contributing more than $312 million since 1980 to various organizations — including MACA. Thanks to everyone at the Dr. Scholl Foundation! 3/3

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 5d

2/3 You're probably familiar with the footwear and foot care products made by Dr. Scholl's. William Mathias Scholl, MD, a podiatrist, created the Dr. Scholl Foundation in 1947 following the success of the company he founded, because he wanted to use his good fortune to help others. 2/3

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 5d

🧵 We’d like to express our thanks to the wonderful folks at the Dr. Scholl Foundation, who have once again “stepped up” to support MACA’s work with a generous grant for 2025. These funds help us provide the moms in our program with much-needed baby supplies like diapers, formula, and car seats. 1/3

Historic black and white photo of Dr. William Scholl, wearing a suit and tie, and holding the sole of a shoe.

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 7d

Described as a hauntingly unforgettable night, the Crypt 5K is held annually on the grounds of Chicago's historic Rosehill Cemetery — with the entire course illuminated by candlelight! It’s the perfect way to celebrate the “run-up” to Halloween. 2/2

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 7d

The Rosehill Cemetery Crypt 5K is always a guaranteed scream! This past weekend our exec director Anne Statton participated in the year's most spooktacular race, along with her nephew Patrick, sister Laurie, and brother-in-law Bill. 1/2

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 10d

We’re still short of our fundraising goal this year, but the good news is that there’s still time to donate and help support MACA’s work. No donation is too small — whether it’s $5, $10, or more. Chip in here: action.aidschicago.org/team/662345 2/2

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 10d

25 Years and Still Running! That’s what the back of our team shirts said for this year’s #AIDSRunWalkChicago in September, because this year we’re celebrating a quarter century of MACA’s successful work to protect moms and kids from preventable perinatal infections. 1/2

A montage of five photos showing members of the team for Mother and Child Alliance wearing their lime-green team shirts. In the upper left, MACA's development manager is holding up the t-shirt so you can read the back, which says 25 years and still running.

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 12d

Find out more about National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day 2025 on the AIDSVu website: aidsvu.org/resources/to... 2/2

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day 2025 Toolkit - AIDSVu

National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) is observed each year on October 15 to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Hispanic/Latinx communities in the United States. This year’s theme undersc...

aidsvu.org

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 12d

🧵 October 15 is National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day! Hispanic/Latinx communities continue to face disproportionate HIV impacts due to barriers like stigma, access to care, and poverty.

On #NLAAD, we honor resilience — and commit to ending inequities. We can #StopHIVTogether. 1/2

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 15d

Monday, October 13 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. @blockclubchi.bsky.social has a roundup of ways to honor and celebrate the occasion here in the Chicago area.

5 Ways To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day In Chicago

From musical performances to open mics, here are several ways to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in Chicago starting this weekend.

blockclubchicago.org

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 17d

For more information about Down syndrome, including advocacy, support, and resources for family members and caregivers, visit the National Down Syndrome Society at www.ndss.org. 4/4

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

Human Rights Organization for Individuals with Down syndrome

www.ndss.org

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 17d

Anne says, “I’m grateful every day for Patrick’s presence in my life—for his bright, positive spirit, his curiosity and adventurousness, and his determination to do his part in helping others. Part of our bond is sharing that focus on the goal of breaking down barriers.” 3/4

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 17d

Our executive director Anne Statton is a devoted aunt to her nephew Patrick, who has Down syndrome and who has been featured in our posts many times as he participates with Anne in various active fundraisers—biking, swimming, and running to raise money for worthy causes that help others in need. 2/4

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 17d

🧵 October is #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth (DSAM)—a time to celebrate the many abilities of our loved ones with Down syndrome. DSAM focuses on the need to break down barriers while promoting advocacy and inclusion, to help create a world where individuals with Down syndrome thrive. 1/4

A montage of five photos. In the upper left Anne and Patrick are sitting on a sofa smiling. Both are wearing orange scarves and Patrick is wearing a Chicago Bears shirt. In the upper right Anne and Patrick are outdoors on their bikes, with the Chicago skyline visible behind them. In the lower left Anne and Patrick are outdoors in swim gear. In the lower middle Anne and Patrick are outdoors dressed for a winter 5K, both wearing ski caps. In the lower right Anne and Patrick are outdoors on a summer day, both dressed for running, with arms raised in a triumphant pose. Patrick wears a medal around his neck.

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Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 19d

If you or someone you love experiences domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat online at thehotline.org. You are not alone! 4/4

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free...

thehotline.org

Mother and Child Alliance (MACA) @motherchild.bsky.social · 19d

At MACA, we stand as advocates and allies for all survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. We seek to realize a world where relationships are free of violence, intimidation, and duress. 3/4

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