Change for Change Starts off Strong

As some of you may already know, Students for Global Wellness has started a fundraiser for Malaria No More called ‘Change for Change.’ CFC is a great opportunity for students and teachers alike to empty out their pockets for a great cause (as of this publication, student contributions total over $130!) All donations go directly to Malaria No More, a group non-profit organizations and private sector corporations working together in an effort to eradicate malaria in Africa. If you haven’t visited their website, I would check it out. It has tons of insightful information on malaria and ways to get involved in the fight!

The Facts

Malaria kills more than 3,000 children every day

Malaria kills over 1 million people every year

90% of deaths from malaria occur in Africa

40% of the world’s population is at risk of malaria

Even amongst all of the dark clouds, there is a silver lining: malaria was eradicated in the US more than 50 years ago. That is amazing, but sad. If we know how to stop this horrible disease, why is still around? Anywhere?

I can’t answer this question because there isn’t a logical answer. There is NO reason why malaria should still be around, no matter how poor the country.

These are just a few facts to get you started. I encourage you to visit Malaria No More for a lot more information. Take some time going through the site; I’ve spend hours on it. Check out the Malaria No More Press Room for some great articles from Time and the Washington Post.

Also, I would encourage you to write to your Congressman. I wrote to Representative Dave Reichert and it couldn’t have been easier. I am thinking about starting a petition at school for the continued support of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). It is a five-year plan to spend $1.2 billion to fight malaria in Africa. If you support it, send your rep an email!


Start Caring.

Jaryd Madlena
Vice President
Students for Global Wellness


Links
www.malarianomore.org
www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/malaria/
www.house.gov/writerep/