The REAL Awards

By: Tara Fisher, Save the Children

Every year, awards are given to recognize the accomplishments of celebrities, actors, singers, athletes and entertainers.  But what about the REAL people who don’t just play a doctor or nurse on TV?  The ones on the frontlines who are changing and saving lives every day?  This year we will begin to honor the people who rarely receive recognition or accolades - health workers.

The REAL Awards is a first-of-its kind awards platform designed to develop greater respect for and appreciation of the life-saving care provided by health workers around the world.  The REAL Awards was created by Save the Children and the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, with the help of presenting sponsors Medtronic Foundation and The Merck Company Foundation, and supporting partners Masimo Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, and Time Inc.  The Awards is also supported by a number of national health worker organizations including Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses (AWOHNN), American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and National Physician’s Alliance (NPA).

Our objective is to demonstrate the universal and urgent need for more trained, caring health workers on the frontlines.  By some estimates, the world is short more than 5 million health workers including one million frontline health workers.  Existing health workers are often overworked and under-appreciated.  We need to remind the public that people everywhere depend on health workers every day.

Starting September 24 at www.theREALawards.com, visitors can read 10 inspirational stories of frontline workers from around the world, nominate a U.S.-based health worker who has made a REAL difference and take an action on behalf of the millions of health workers who often don’t get recognition and support they deserve.

Check out our vision of what an awards show honoring health workers might look like.