The Story Behind Healthy Child, Healthy World

Nancy and James Chuda delighted in the birth of their first child, Colette, in 1986. Journalist Nancy had befriended singer Olivia Newton-John after doing a profile on her, and the two had their daughters around the same time. The two were really close, and their daughters--Chloe and Colette--grew up as best friends since birth. Colette even appeared on the cover of Olivia Newton-John's lullaby album, "Warm and Tender." In the photograph, she is giving Olivia a kiss, as Chloe touches Olivia's hair. She also appeared in the music video for Olivia's single "Reach Out for Me."

However, tragedy suddenly struck when the healthy, intelligent Colette was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 4. It was a non-hereditary form of childhood cancer called Wilm's Tumor. Their suspicions about the cause--environmental toxins--were later confirmed by a long-term study showing that exposure to pesticides in expectant mothers was directly related to its diagnosis in the child when he is 48 months old. Colette was diagnosed at the age of 4, when she was precisely 48 months old.

Despite their grief when Colette passed away, the two gathered their strength and started to think of how they could help others from undergoing this unspeakable tragedy and protect other children. According to Nancy and James' own testimony on the organization's official website, they were able to begin the organization in its first incarnation in 1991. It was initially caleld the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund. Supportive celebrities included their best friend Olivia Newton-John, Alan Ladd, Jr. and wife Cindra, Lyn and Norman Lear, and Bette Midler. As is cited by them, it's goal was to "support scientific research on the risks to children from environmental toxics."
The Colette Chuda Environmental Fund soon became known as CHEC, the Children's Health Environmental Coalition. Kelly Preston and Olivia Newton-John worked together on an instructional video for parents called "Not Under Our Roof," and Chloe Lattanzi, Olivia's daughter and Colette's best friend, contributed drawings to environmental awareness booklets by the organization. Nancy worked through the organization to get changes in laws as well, Olivia has done lots of fundraising, hosting and otherwise supporting the organization over the years.

In 2007, CHEC changed its name to Healthy Child, Healthy World. To celebrate this name change, there was a celebration in Santa Monica, in which five easy steps for revealed for the safeguarding of the home. These steps are quite simple, as stated by the organization on its open press release:

"1. Manage pests safely
2. Use non-toxic products - cleaners, body care, home furnishings
3. Clean up indoor air
4. Shop smart - eat more organic and healthy foods
5. Be wise with plastics "

The re-naming was a success. The non-profit organization has thrived in all its forms. It was given four stars by Charity Navigator, which is the highest rating possible. The courage of the couple ensures that the organization continues to thrive; so does its celebrity support and its grassroots support by concerned parents all over the world.

As James and Nancy state on their website, "There are no words to describe the loss of life when a child dies. We have only to imagine what Colette's life might have been. Her spirit lives on through the lives we save by preventing exposures to environmental toxics." You can join celebrities like Keri Russell, who recently contributed to the organization with her essay on organic produce and Farmer's Markets. You can donate, become a member or volunteer your time at HealthyChild.org. Sources cited:
http://healthychild.org/about/our_story/
http://www.olivianewton-john.info
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-chuda/a-holiday-wish-for-health_b_152970.html
http://www.generationgreen.org/cookbook-recipes-chuda-cancer.htm