Malaria No More Presents Fifth Annual Malaria Champions Awards

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Malaria No More today announced the recipients of annual awards for distinguished service in the fight against malaria. The three separate awards, which this year are being received by Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), Congressmen Ander Crenshaw (R-04-FL) and Gregory Meeks (D- -NY), and Novartis were presented this morning at the Fifth Annual Malaria Champions Breakfast in Washington, D.C.

"Malaria No More is proud to honor Senator Coats, Congressman Crenshaw, Congressman Meeks and Novartis at the fifth annual Malaria Champions Breakfast," said Martin Edlund, CEO of Malaria No More. "These awards recognize the outstanding work these leaders are doing, committing their time, talent, and voices to ending this preventable and treatable disease. We've seen remarkable progress in the fight against malaria, but we couldn't do it without the Champions we honor today." 

The three awards are presented each year to recognize leaders in the fight against malaria and the progress they are helping to achieve. The Malaria Action Award, presented to a leader who translates policy into action, was presented to Senator Coats, in recognition of his efforts to secure funding for the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. PMI, founded in 2006, partners with local governments in 19 focus countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa to reduce malaria deaths by 70 percent. Past recipients of the Malaria Action Award include Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer, U.S. Global Malaria Coordinator, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah, and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

"Eliminating malaria is not a partisan issue or even a national issue," said Senator Coats. "This disease affects millions of people around the world and is one of the greatest public health threats of our time. It is vitally important that we work together so that one day we can celebrate the eradication of malaria. I am honored to receive this award and appreciate all of the efforts of Malaria No More in the ongoing fight against this disease."

The Malaria Vision Award, which recognizes leaders who are strong voices for effective malaria policy, was presented this year to Congressmen Ander Crenshaw and Gregory Meeks, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. Through their leadership, malaria has remained an important focus of the U.S. policy agenda. They continue to raise the profile of malaria through their introduction of the World Malaria Day Resolution, co-sponsoring of events on Capitol Hill, and other efforts to educate colleagues. Congressman Crenshaw and Congressman Meeks have continued to grow the Caucus, recruiting a variety of supporters from around the U.S. and across the aisle. Previous recipients of the Malaria Vision Award include Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the Chair of the Clinical Center Department of Bioethics at the National Institute of Health, Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance and former Minister of Health for Botswana, and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases.

"Malaria impacts millions of people around the globe – mothers, fathers, and young children as well as American servicemen and women who are fighting overseas to keep us safe and building strong allies and trading partners in emerging economies," said Congressman Crenshaw. "I am honored to receive the Malaria Vision Award from Malaria No More and am proud to serve alongside Congressman Meeks as Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases. The fight to eliminate malaria as a public health threat requires teamwork and dedication. My commitment to that mission remains strong, and I look forward to continuing our critical work alongside the President's Malaria Initiative, the Department of Defense, and the Global Fund."

"With the unprecedented results achieved only in the last decade through growing partnerships in the private sector, academia, faith-based organizations, NGOs, and government, we have the opportunity to make this the generation that ends malaria," Congressman Meeks said.  "I am honored to accept this award alongside my colleague, Congressman Crenshaw.  As co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, we are committed to act in a bipartisan fashion to continue to build upon these achievements and ensure that no one dies of a preventable, treatable disease like malaria."

The first annual Malaria Award for Private Sector Excellence was presented to Novartis this year. This innovative healthcare company has already provided more than 600 million treatments to 60 malaria-endemic countries, treating people with malaria and saving lives. Novartis continues to demonstrate its commitment to ending deaths from malaria through a variety of initiatives. Most recently, Novartis announced its partnership with Malaria No More to launch the Power of One campaign. This campaign will complement existing efforts of governments and other partners to speed access to life-saving malaria drugs.

"We are honored by this recognition. Fighting malaria requires a collaborative approach and we are proud of the results we have achieved with our partners to improve access to treatment, help communities deliver better healthcare and advance research and development of next generation antimalarials," said Linus Igwemezie, Head of the Novartis Malaria Initiative. "Through joint endeavors such as the Power of One campaign, bringing together Malaria No More and some of the world's most innovative companies, we can help accelerate progress toward malaria elimination."

Malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable disease which kills more than 650,000 people each year. Through the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the U.S. Government helps provide funding for critical life-saving tools, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, rapid diagnostic tests and artemisinin-based combination therapies.

About Malaria No More
Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths. We're helping the world get it done by engaging leaders, rallying the public, and delivering life-saving tools and education to families across Africa. Founded in 2006 by business leaders Ray Chambers and Peter Chernin, Malaria No More is working to create a world in which no one dies from a mosquito bite. For more information, visit www.MalariaNoMore.org.

Press Contact:  Katie Todd                                                                                
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SOURCE Malaria No More