Protection. It’s what we want for our babies. I very clearly remember the first night that I worried about my firstborn daughter Amanda after I had put her to bed. “I hope she’s going to be okay.”

There are things outside of our control (which have only seemed to increase now that she’s ten years old!), but there are also so many new developments that help keep our kids safe and happy.

One of the things that I am thankful for is absorbent diapers that kept my babies free of uncomfortable diaper rash. I don’t know if my son (born 5 1/2 years later) had different skin or if products had gotten that much better, but diaper rash was really not an issue for him at all.

I know that vaccines are somewhat controversial today, but I am also thankful that due to their widespread use, many childhood diseases that used to be fatal have been virtually eliminated here in North America.

But that’s not the case worldwide.

The Pampers “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign is part of a global initiative with UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), a preventable disease that claims the lives of approximately 128,000 infants and 30,000 mothers in less industrialized nations each year – that’s approximately one death every four minutes.

Tetanus can be contracted during childbirth in developing countries, where women often must give birth at home in unsanitary conditions without access to adequate health care. The disease rages through newborns within days of their exposure to the tetanus bacteria and almost always leads to a swift and painful death.

Yes, you can help this cause by simply buying specially marked packages of Pampers products. From February 5 through May 1, 2009, parents in the U.S. and Canada have the opportunity to help UNICEF protect moms and babies around the world against tetanus by simply purchasing specially-marked packages of Pampers diapers and wipes. Each product they buy triggers one life-saving vaccine*.

* For every specially marked pack of Pampers Diapers and Wipes purchased in the U.S. and Canada, the Pampers brand will donate US$.07 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help provide one tetanus vaccine to a pregnant woman or a woman of child-bearing age in the less industrialized world. UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product. No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible. Pampers’ total donation is anticipated to exceed $2 million.

** For every Pampers baby bodysuit manufactured for this program, the Pampers brand will donate U.S. $.07 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help provide one tetanus vaccine to a pregnant woman or a woman of child-bearing age in the less industrialized world. For more information, visit www.pampers.com/unicef, www.unicefusa.org/pampers or www.unicef.ca. UNICEF does not endorse any brand or product.

And one of you (U.S. residents only) will also be helped personally with those diaper expenses. One of you will win a prize pack worth $375.

• 1 six month supply of Pampers diapers
• 1 three month supply of Pampers wipes
• “One Pack = One Vaccine” bear with branded onesie
• Thank you letter from UNICEF

Leave a comment if you’d like to win (U.S. residents only). And don’t forget — you can get extra entries in our giveaways…

If you already subscribe to our newsletter and/or our RSS feed and/or have our button on your site, you qualify for additional entries. Also, if you tweet or spread the word via facebook, your blog, etc., just leave additional comments letting us know and you will have additional entries. (Your comments are your entries.) So hit your favorite social media sites and then add comments for additional entries!

This giveaway is open for entry until Friday, March 27, 2009. The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 28th, 2009.

Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules. This promotion is void where prohibited.

This post was written by contributing editor Jennifer Donovan, who blogs at Snapshot and is managing editor of 5 Minutes for Books.