to eradicate smallpox, Zhdanov was the co-winner of the 2020 Future of Life Award along with William (Bill) Foege. Foege and Zhdanov (through his sons Viktor and Michael) received that award in an ceremony including Bill Gates, Anthony Fauci and freshly minted Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna. The ceremony was held remotely as it took place during the 2019 Coronavirus Pandemic. In consideration of the achievements of Zhdanov and Foege, Bill Gates added that Zhdanov and Foege "are phenomenal examples of what it means to harness science for global health". "We're all indebted to Bill Foege and Viktor Zhdanov for their critical contributions to the eradication of smallpox, which demonstrated the immense value of science and international collaboration for fighting disease", said António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations. UNICEF estimates that smallpox eradication has saved close to 200 million lives as of 2018. On 8 May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly officially declared: 'The world and all its peoples have won freedom from smallpox.' According to the World Health Organization, the US$300m price-tag to eradicate smallpox saves the world well over US$1 billion every year since 1980. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity's victory over smallpox is a reminder of what is possible when nations come together to fight a common health threat". The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA), in collaboration with WHO, signifies what national unity and global solidary can achieve. Numerous countries, such as Guinea, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Togo and others issued smallpox stamps to show support for, and raise awareness about WHO's Intensified Smallpox Eradication Programme launched in 1967. References External links The best person who ever lived BoingBoing Aug. 3, 2015. 1914 births 1987 deaths People from Donetsk Oblast Academicians of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences Communist Party of the Soviet Union members Employees of the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Saint Petersburg State University alumni Smallpox eradication Recipients of the Order of Lenin Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Recipients of the Order of the Red Star Russian people of World War II Soviet military doctors Soviet military personnel of World War II Soviet virologists Burials at Kuntsevo Cemetery Presidents of the International Union of Microbiological Societies