Join us in combating rheumatic heart disease, saving 300,000 lives annually through vital support and global action.
Reach is proud to celebrate the recognition of our co-founder and President, Professor Liesl Zühlke, as the 2026 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Award laureate for Africa and the ArabStates.
Selected from a record 504 nominations across 89 countries, Prof Zühlke was honoured at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 11 June, a testament to the impact her decades of dedication to children's heart health have had on the global stage.
This recognition is a powerful reminder of why Reach exists. Prof Zühlke was instrumental in shaping the vision and strategy that underpins everything we do: a strategy built on the belief that closing the equity gap in RHD requires rigorous science, bold advocacy, and sustained commitment to the communities most affected. Prof Zühlke's work embodies this, and the same spirit drives our efforts to strengthen health systems, build local capacity, and support RHD prevention and control in high-burden countries.
As we celebrate her achievement, we are reminded that the work is far from over. Every child still living in the shadow of a preventable disease is a call to action. Reach is committed to pressing forward until there are no new cases of RHD, and those living with RHD are guaranteed the high-quality care they need throughout their lives. We congratulate Prof Zühlke on this richly deserved honour, and we remain committed to turning the vision she helped shape into reality for every child affected by RHD.
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