Nepal 00039 DSC00342.JPG

Joining the fight against malaria

In 2015 raised money for The Against Malaria Foundation. One of the major symptoms of this deadly disease is fever, so the element was fire.

We raised a total of $3,424 for AMF in 2015. A very generous sponsor offered to match $27 donations, and also took advantage of his employers matching program to donate over an additional $1,000.

The original fundraiser netted #2,290 — The original fundraiser netted #2,290

With employer matching our sponsor raised an additional $1,134 — With employer matching our sponsor raised an additional $1,134

Our goal is to raise $2000 which will go to provide bed nets for those in areas impacted by malaria. The best way to protect pregnant women and children, those most impacted by the disease, is through preventative measures like Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs).

I am excited to announce that a friend has promised to match every $27 donation going forward this year! That means that every time someone pledges $27, 7 kids are protected from Malaria while they sleep.

As part of this challenge I've chosen to support those organizations that have proven to be more effective than other charities. AMF is able to provide each net for a total coast of just $6 each. Not only is this an amazingly inexpensive way to save a life AMF is rigorous when it comes to tracking their nets; making sure that nets are distributed to intended recipients and tracking their use over time.

That means if we reach our goal over 300 people will be protected from malaria.

Want to know more about AMF? They are one of GiveWell's top rated charities and GW has looked into their organization extensively. You can read all about them on the GiveWell evaluation page.

This cause gives us a chance to do an amazing amount of good; mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on the planet - just after humans. The CDC estimates 207 million clinical episodes, and 627,000 deaths from malaria in 2011, making it "one of the most severe public health problems worldwide." While malaria is treatable, the drugs are expensive and difficult to access, which puts an undue tole on the most vulnerable populations. Total costs (for example, illness, treatment, premature death) of malaria are estimated to be at least US $12 billion per year.

So help fight the spread of this disease by donating $27 to AMF. It seems appropriate to use a birthday to save a life, because what is a birthday if not a celebration of life? Donate today!

Save even more lives by going the resources page and spreading the message.