Causecast

by AARON HORWITZ, Contributing Writer

Last week uber-celeb and Hollywood hipster Ashton Kutcher donated 10,000 mosquito nets. Then, uber-athlete and international superstar David Beckham joined a coalition to get the British government involved. More and more celebs are lining up to end malaria in Africa, and the vessel most are using to do so is Causecast nonprofit Malaria No More.

Malaria No More was never one of those grassroots organizations that began in a basement with a few well-intentioned young do-gooders. Quite the opposite, MNM was founded in December 2006 by News Corp. President Peter Chernin and Wallstreet magnate Ray Chambers, with the lofty goal of ending a worldwide epidemic (as the name suggests). By April of 2007, their industry clout made it possible for MNM to get heavy air-play on American Idol, which spread their powerful message to over 30 million people, ultimately raising tens of millions of dollars for the cause. And that was just the beginning. Since that time, the organization has made a profound difference, even helping to secure a pledge of 100 million mosquito nets at the 2008 G8 conference. So why are nets so important? And why is malaria such a pressing epidemic?

According to Malaria No More’s stat sheet, malaria claims the lives of more African children than any other disease, killing one approximately every 30 seconds. But unlike other infectious diseases like HIV, malaria is absolutely treatable, and even quite preventable. That’s why mosquito nets are so vital, and perhaps why celebrities are so quick to get involved; the result of their donation is specific, the impact can be measured. Each net truly can save a life (or an entire family), and in that respect each of us are able to make a significant impact with minimal financial commitment and a simple gesture.

Malaria is a worldwide epidemic, and there are tons of wonderful organizations out there dedicated to ending the crisis. For starters, you can check out Nothing But Nets to discover just how far a simple $10 donation can go.

Donate to Malaria No More through Causecast and contribute to ending the scourge of this brutal disease. Visit their website to keep current with malaria news and sign a proclamation to urge President Obama to fulfill his promise of halting all Malaria deaths by 2015.

April 25th, 2009 is World Malaria Day.

Image courtesy of Malaria No More