Efforts To Combat Malaria Taking Off

Nothing But Nets announced that the
campaign's efforts to fight malaria by delivering long-lasting,
insecticide- treated nets (bed nets) to children and families throughout
Africa were highlighted at today's White House Summit on Malaria hosted by
President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.



Since May 2006, the Nothing But Nets campaign has raised over $1.7
million with average donations of 62 dollars. Representatives from the
founding partners of the campaign, The National Basketball Association, the
People of the United Methodist Church and the United Nations Foundation
were all present at this historic event showcasing private and public
efforts to eradicate malaria.



"While bed nets are just one way to curb the spread of malaria, the
power of the campaign is that it is an easy thing for people to understand
and even easier for them to have an impact, " said Kathy Behrens, Senior
Vice President for Community and Player Programs. "Send a net. Save a life.
It's just that easy."



Through NBA Cares, the NBA and WNBA, its teams and players have taken a
holistic approach to supporting the Nothing But Nets campaign -- committing
to implementing grassroots events & activities; engaging in communication
and awareness efforts; helping generate funds; and participating in bed net
distributions. On January 23rd, 2007, NBA Legend Sam Perkins will be in
Lagos, Nigeria to participate in the distribution of bed nets with the
Measles Initiative through the World Health Organization.



The People of the United Methodist Church have been in mission across
Africa for more than 160 years. The denomination's work in the area of
malaria prevention makes it a natural partner for Nothing but Nets. Several
global agencies of The United Methodist Church will launch supporting
campaigns to educate and raise money for bed nets.



"Ending malaria is going to take the power of millions of people," said
Thomas Bickerton, a Bishop in The United Methodist Church in the USA.
"Working with all of the partners, we're hoping to inspire the global
community to help us end this disease by providing bed nets to women and
children all across Africa."



Nothing But Nets was created by the UN Foundation in May 2006. Inspired
by a column written by Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly, the campaign's
founding partners are the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, The
People of the United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. Other
partners include AOL Black Voices, Malaria No More, Rotarians' Action Group
on Malaria and VH- 1.



Bed net distributions are organized and implemented by the Measles
Initiative. Measles Initiative partners include the American Red Cross,
United Nations Foundation, Centers for Disease Control, World Health
Organization, and UNICEF.
















In October 2006, representatives of the campaign traveled to Nigeria to
visit with families who had received the first shipment of more than
150,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets. The nets sent to Nigeria
were the first of many that will be shipped to Africa through Nothing But
Nets.



While malaria has largely been eradicated in the United States, nearly
500 million people are still infected each year, mostly in Africa. More
than one million of those infected died from the disease. Seventy-five
percent of those deaths are children under five-years old. Every day 25
million pregnant women risk severe illness and harm to their unborn
children from a malaria infection.



The most cost-effective and simple approach to combat malaria is
through the use of insecticide- treated bed nets, which can prevent malaria
transmission by 50 percent. It costs $10 to buy and distribute a bed net
and to educate others on its use. Despite the effectiveness of preventing
transmission, according to the 2005 World Health Organization's World
Malaria Report, only three percent of children under five in Africa sleep
under a bed net.



About Nothing But Nets



Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by
preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by
Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, thousands of people have joined
the campaign that was created by the UN Foundation. Founding campaign
partners include the National Basketball Association's NBA Cares, The
People of the United Methodist Church, Malaria No More, and Sports
Illustrated. Other partners include VH-1, AOL Black Voices, and Rotarians'
Action Group on Malaria. It only costs $10 to provide an
insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit
NothingButNets to send a net and save a life.


Nothing But Nets

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