Nothing But Nets and Major League Soccer Team Up to Beat Malaria

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Major League Soccer is a crucial partner in the fight against malaria. We’re leveraging the power of athletes, fans, and sports to show how this community can come together in a unique way to help save lives.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 24, 2014

Today, the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign and Major League Soccer have teamed up, rallying soccer fans to “Compete to Beat Malaria.” During the month of April, MLS will donate a $10 bed net to Nothing But Nets for every save made by a goalkeeper during regular-season games, and have asked soccer fans to donate to the campaign as well. The month-long campaign by Nothing But Nets aims to send 25,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to families in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Major League Soccer is a crucial partner in the fight against malaria,” said Chris Helfrich, Director of Nothing But Nets. “We’re leveraging the power of athletes, fans, and sports to show how this community can come together in a unique way to help save lives.”

To honor World Malaria Day (April 25), Nothing But Nets is convening national campaign partners, local communities, schools, and individuals to take sports-related challenges during the month of April, raising awareness, funds, and voices to fight malaria. Challenges are expected to include soccer tournaments, a nationwide juggle-a-thon, and other sports activities.

MLS WORKS has been an official partner with Nothing But Nets since 2007. The campaigns have engaged Major League Soccer fans, classrooms, and community leaders nationwide to raise awareness about malaria prevention.

Toronto FC star and MLS WORKS ambassador Dwayne De Rosario has traveled with Nothing But Nets and its partners to Mali, Africa where they delivered 133,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to families in need. De Rosario continues to be active with the campaign, raising awareness and getting families involved across North America.

"Working with Nothing But Nets has been a life-changing opportunity,” said De Rosario. “Malaria's devastating impact, especially towards youth, fuels my interest to continue to fight for this cause. Working with MLS and Nothing But Nets has helped save many lives."

Retired MLS star Diego Gutierrez, who spent his career between Chicago and Kansas City, traveled to Mali with De Rosario and Nothing But Nets. He and his family continue to be integrally involved with the campaign.

"MLS has been and continues to be a great partner to Nothing But Nets, and while we have made tremendous progress in the last few years, much work remains until we win the battle against malaria,” said Gutierrez. “With MLS' support and the support of soccer fans all over the country, we will continue to raise funds, send nets, and save lives."

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight malaria, a leading killer of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Together with its UN partners, the Nothing But Nets campaign has delivered more than 7 million bed nets since 2006.

Malaria is a deadly disease, transmitted by a single mosquito bite. Malaria kills more than 600,000 people worldwide every year and claims the life of a child every 60 seconds. But bed nets provide a simple, cost-effective solution and can reduce the spread of malaria by 90 percent in areas with high coverage rates.

For more information about Compete to Beat Malaria, visit http://www.NothingButNets.net/WorldMalariaDay.

Tweet this: .@MLS and @NothingButNets are teaming up to #BeatMalaria! @MLS is donating $10 for every goalkeeper save in April: http://bit.ly/1fwxNcL

Contact:
Rachel Henderson
Senior Communications Officer, Nothing But Nets
rhenderson(at)unfoundation(dot)org
202.739.2782

About Nothing But Nets
Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Since then, Nothing But Nets has raised more than $50 million to send more than 7 million bed nets to families across sub-Saharan Africa. Campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The people of The United Methodist Church, and Major League Soccer’s MLS WORKS It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit http://www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.

About The United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit http://www.unfoundation.org.

About MLS WORKS
MLS WORKS is Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for League and club philanthropic programs. MLS WORKS seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. Visit http://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsworks.

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