he’s my son: the story of micah’s mission

He’s My Son:He’s My Son:The Story of The Story of

MICAH’s MICAH’s MissionMission

MMinistry to inistry to IImprove mprove CChild and hild and AAdolescent dolescent HHealthealth

He has showed you, O He has showed you, O man, man,

what is good. And what what is good. And what does the Lord require of does the Lord require of

you? To act you? To act justly and to love mercy justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with and to walk humbly with

your God.your God.

Micah 6:8 Micah 6:8

Each year, about 12,400 children are diagnosed with cancer…

…and 2,300 die

Cancer is leading cause of death Cancer is leading cause of death by disease in children…by disease in children…

……despite despite dramatically dramatically increased increased survival survival rates for certain rates for certain types of types of childhoodchildhoodcancer.cancer.

Childhood leukemia is a blood forming cancer.

It is thought to have beginnings in the womb

From exposures passed from mother to her unborn baby

At critical stages of development

Jarrett Micah-Smith Jarrett Micah-Smith McElheney was diagnosed at 4 McElheney was diagnosed at 4

with childhood leukemiawith childhood leukemia

An investigation by environmental health An investigation by environmental health agencies found that the McElheney family agencies found that the McElheney family

was exposed to toxic chemicals…was exposed to toxic chemicals…

……chemicals, including chemicals, including benzene, which came benzene, which came from nearby industriesfrom nearby industries

Their very Their very deep well was deep well was permanently permanently shut down.shut down.

Their risk for cancer increased.Their risk for cancer increased.

Jarrett responded wellto therapy and now isan active 11-year-old…

……free of cancer.free of cancer.

It is Jarrett’s mission to tell his story so that others can live healthier lives.

“

”- Jill McElheney

After traveling to Washington, DC, in 2002, Jill realized what she had already been doing on her own -- looking for causes of illness, and offering support to families in need, was what needed to be done.

Starting MICAH’s Mission was her next step.

Photo from Athens Banner-Herald, 2002

Rooted in their Christianbeliefs, MICAH’s Missionis not meant to excludethose individuals or familiesthat do not share their values.

Jill says, “[it is] to see the bigger picture, and leave our children a better future and environment.”

Taking Action…Taking Action…Citing the need for rural families to know about the possibility of contamination, MICAH’s Mission has met with Georgia legislators…

Helping families research the history of their property

Make reduced cost water tests available

Set up a remediation fund

Some of the topics that MICAH’s Mission has discussed with law-makers include:

In April 2004, MICAH’s Mission joined forces with local government agencies, UGA,concerned citizens and other local coalitions to form the Northeast Georgia Children’s Environmental Health Coalition

Bringing it Home…Bringing it Home…

Simple things you can do to reduce your exposure include:

Use vinegar and lemon juice as natural cleaners

Remove work clothes before entering the home and wash separately

Remove your shoes at the door – to reduce the amount of contaminants brought into your home

Contact MICAH’s MissionContact MICAH’s Mission

MICAH’s MissionP.O. Box 275

Winterville, Georgia 30683

706.742.7826 (p) 706.543.1799 (f)

Micahsmission@aol.com

References and SourcesReferences and Sources

• http://www.childrenscause.org/resources/fact_sheet.shtml

• Rural Roads, June 2004: “Georgia Family Turns Son’s Illness into Children’s Environmental Health Movement”

• Unless otherwise noted, all photos were provided by MICAH’s Mission or are public domain images.