Nothing But Nets

Below is another great story from of one of our supporters, Jenna Glazier, who will be hosting an event at her school in support of Nothing But Nets. Jenna says:

“Every night when I fall asleep, usually the worst thing that can happen to me while I sleep is I might have a nightmare. For many children in Africa, the worst is often death from a bite by a mosquito which carries the malaria virus.

I recently watched an episode of AMERICAN IDOL, which featured many singers, actresses, and musicians who joined together in a charitable effort known as IDOL GIVES BACK. The UN Foundation was one of the charities featured on the show. One of their campaigns, Nothing But Nets, supplies mosquito nets to African villages to protect children from mosquito bites while they sleep.

From New York to New England…the Buzz Tour rolled into Boston last week to visit some old friends, and make some new ones.

We started off at the Boston Museum of Science where Mozzie was a huge attraction for students of all ages.  As we’ve seen so far on our tour, teachers around the country want their classes to join the movement to end malaria by incorporating Nothing But Nets into their courses — we’re so happy to hear that! You can always go to the It’s Easy to Help tab on this site to get ideas and resources for any group to get involved.

If anyone knows how to sink nets and save lives, it’s the Davidson College men’s basketball team. Last Saturday, the Davidson Wildcats held their second-annual ‘BUZZKILL Shoot-Out’ to raise funds and awareness for Nothing But Nets. The event, spearheaded by senior guard Bryant Barr, involved a 3-on-3 tournament and live and online auctions.

Thirty teams from the Charlotte, North Carolina area came to the tournament with funds they had raised to go toward the purchase of life-saving bed nets. More funds raised meant a higher pick in a draft of Davidson College basketball players to coach their team for the day. Former Davidson All-American and current Golden State Warrior star Stephen Curry returned to his alma mater to join the coaching line-up and save lives!

Even comedian Drew Carey knows malaria is no laughing matter—he’s joined the movement to end malaria by creating a bobblehead to bring smiles to fans and nets to families in Africa. Drew Carey, owner of the Seattle Sounders FC, and Sounders midfielder Sanna Nyassi, have launched a month-long fundraising campaign to benefit Nothing But Nets. Fans who donate $30 or more through June 10th will receive the limited edition Drew Carey bobblehead!

A donation of $30 will cover the cost to buy, distribute, and explain the use of 3 insecticide-treated bed nets, one of the easiest, and most cost-effective ways to prevent malaria in Africa. From his personal experience of contracting malaria at 16, Sanna Nyassi understands just how important these nets can be to saving lives.

Last summer, one of our supporters started a project that would last months and have a profound impact on herself, her community, and malaria prevention. Alexis Pearson, a Girl Scout from Detroit, began by converting an empty lot by her church into a great community garden. Alexis and her friends worked together to grow vegetables from scratch and sell them at her local farmers market. She also decided to donate the money they raised to an organization that worked in international development. But at first, she wasn’t sure which one to support.

Last week, the Buzz Tour hit the Big Apple. We kicked off our week of loving NY at the NY Red Bulls soccer game, where thousands of fans showed their support for Nothing But Nets and the goal to end malaria deaths by 2015. A DJ, dancing Mozzie, “soccer skee ball,” and prizes meant pre-game fun for everyone! We were really happy that so many NY Red Bulls fans already knew about Nothing But Nets and had been sending nets and saving lives with their friends, schools, and soccer teams! Supporters like you are helping kick malaria out of Africa.

We spent the next couple of days spreading the buzz around the city so nice they named it twice -- New York, New York. We went from Union Square to Times Square (on the subway!), and locals and tourists took more than a New York minute to learn about malaria, and how they can be a part of ending it forever. A lot of the tourists were excited to learn that NothingButNets.net lets anyone help from anywhere in the world.

Last weekend for World Malaria Day, thousands of people across the country and around the world showed their commitment to sending nets and saving lives at the Sleep Out to End Malaria. From Nashville to L.A., and Zimbabwe to South Korea, Nothing But Nets and United Against Malaria supporters came together to share their experiences and sleep out so that others can sleep safely, teaming up to end malaria deaths by 2015.

Check out a slideshow with some of the best photos from the Sleep Out to End Malaria on April 24, the Eve of World Malaria Day. 

Taking part in the United Against Malaria events on Capital Hill last week opened my eyes to an aspect of being a spokesperson that I had not yet contemplated. Over the years, I have shared with you all the details of my trips to Africa, essentially being the voice for the mothers and children that I encountered whose lives are fatally touched by malaria. I have also had the opportunity to share my experiences here in the United States, from elementary school drives to faith-based activities to our own sporting events.

My recent visit to Congress shed light on an area that until now has eluded my attention:  encouraging YOU to use YOUR voice. I am slightly ashamed to admit that I was naïve to the world of advocacy and politics. As a spokesperson I just assumed that my job was to create awareness and encourage people to make the simple $10 donation to save a life. I did not realize that your voice is equally as important and impactful as your financial contribution. From the Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office to various other members of Congress that we visited, there proved to be a common theme throughout all of our meetings.