Two Seattle Volunteers Making a Difference in the Fight Against Fistula

In January 2004, millions of Americans tuned in to the Oprah Winfrey Show and learned of a little-known childbearing injury called obstetric fistula. One Seattle-based viewer – profoundly moved by the broadcast – felt compelled to act.

“It was maddening to think how devastating the condition is and how relatively easy and inexpensive it is to fix,” says Heidi Breeze Harris, a self-described “jack of all trades” who has worked as an artist, photographer, book publisher and non-profit professional. “If something is within our reach to fix, and it’s not being done, then I just want to get moving.”

Obstetric fistula is a hole in the birth canal typically caused by several days of obstructed labour without timely medical intervention. The consequences of the condition are life shattering: The baby usually dies and the woman is left with chronic incontinence. Unable to stay dry, she is often abandoned by her husband and shunned by her community.

The average cost of fistula treatment – including surgery, post-operative care and rehabilitation services – is just $300. Sadly, most fistula sufferers are either unaware that treatment is available, or they cannot afford it.

Harris began spreading the word to friends and colleagues. “I started telling everyone about fistula,” she says. “And people would say, ‘Wow, I’d like to help, but I don’t have $300.’”

Enter Katya Matanovic, Harris’ friend and former colleague with 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Through her work at the Washington Women’s Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Seattle, Matanovic became familiar with “Giving Circles” – a fundraising tool whereby members of a circle of friends pool their money and donate to a specific cause. “Heidi and I adapted the model for our use,” says Matanovic, adding that with just 10 donors, each giving $30, one woman with fistula can be cured.

" It was maddening to think how devastating the condition is and how relatively easy and inexpensive it is to fix. "

--Heidi Breeze Harris, fistula fundraiser

In August 2004, Harris had a harrowing childbirth experience of her own that made her more resolved than ever to volunteer for the cause. “As it turned out, I had an obstructed labor with my son – a dramatic delivery resulting in a C-section, and then a second surgery for internal bleeding,” she says. “I was enthusiastic about fistula before this happened to me, but after, it just made the cause closer to my heart.”

After many months of advocacy and outreach, Harris and Matanovic launched “One By One,” a volunteer-led initiative in support of the global Campaign to End Fistula. The Campaign, led by UNFPA, is active in more than 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Arab States and involves a wide range of partners.

One By One is powered online with the generous support of the United Nations Foundation (UNF), established in 1997 by U.S. business leader and philanthropist Ted Turner. UNF has been instrumental in forging the partnership between UNFPA and the One By One project leaders.

By all accounts, the first “One By One” fistula fundraiser, held in March 2005, was an unqualified success: Thirty-six attendees signed on as “Giving Circle” leaders and participants donated $1000 in cash. In a surprise announcement, UNF pledged to match all grants dollar for dollar up to $5000.

“The response was so enthusiastic and, of course, that’s contagious,” says Matanovic. “Even after working on the project for over a year, I had an ‘Aha!’ moment – this is why we’re raising the money,” she adds.

In recent weeks, the duo launched the “Katya and Heidi on the Road Show,” offering fistula presentations to book groups in the Seattle area. The response, so far, has been encouraging: “People really want to help,” says Harris.

The goal of “One By One,” say Harris and Matanovic, is to create lasting change for women and girls with fistula, one step at a time. To that end, they appear off to a good start.

— Saira Stewart