( CNN ) -- I have so few images of myself as a baby that 30 years ago , when I first picked up a camera , I never could have imagined that my imagery of other babies would resonate around the world . Since then , I 've been fortunate to photograph thousands of children , and within these images I 've always tried to convey the purity , beauty and innocence of the newborn . I truly feel that they represent the very essence of our existence and when they are with me in my studio they always bring joy to my heart . The vulnerability of the newborn -- without care , nourishment , love and attention they can not survive -- is a fact of life . Every mother reading this will remember the moment when she first gazed into the eyes of her baby . Out of that fog which can constitute childbirth , we are not only automatically transported into our new lives as mothers , but that essential nurturing instinct instantly becomes part of us , as we promise ourselves that we will do everything we can to protect the new life we have created . And after giving birth , we as women become members of the vast sisterhood of mothers -- a universal oneness ; a shared experience to which we can all relate . As the global advocate for the United Nations Foundation 's Shot @ Life campaign , and as a part of my commitment to support the Every Woman Every Child initiative , this Mother 's Day I ask all mothers to pause for a moment . Spare a thought for another mother in the world who feels exactly the same way about her own child as you do about yours , yet is helpless to protect them against common diseases such as measles , pneumonia , diarrhea or polio . Ultimately Shot @ Life aims to help save the lives of the 1.5 million children under the age of 5 who die every year from diseases that are entirely preventable by vaccines . Please do n't be overwhelmed by these statistics -- within your heart just imagine one child and one mother . It is very difficult for any parent in a developed country to comprehend that $ 20 can save the life of a child . Put yourself in another mother 's shoes . If someone were to say to you , `` I can save the life of your child for $ 20 , '' what would your response be ? Shot @ Life aims to save the lives of 1,000 children by Mother 's Day , and I think we can achieve this goal . If just 1,000 people gave $ 20 each in celebration of Mother 's Day , we could save the lives of 1,000 children . How hard can it be ? A thousand children saved , and the pain of a thousand mothers eased . Collectively , our babies are a compelling and persuasive symbol of hope and the transforming power of unconditional love . Let 's make sure that all of our children live to realize their potential . Together we can all make a difference . To help reach our Mother 's Day goal , click here . Follow Anne Geddes on her blog , Facebook and Twitter . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Anne Geddes .
United Nations Foundation 's Shot @ Life campaign promotes childhood vaccines . 1.5 million children die each year from diseases that are preventable by vaccines . Anne Geddes asks mothers to celebrate Mother 's Day by donating $ 20 .