"Smash" Star Katharine McPhee Teams Up With Malaria No More To Launch the "Dream Big" Campaign

NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Smash star Katharine McPhee has joined forces with Malaria No More on the "Dream Big" campaign, an effort to help end malaria deaths in Africa and help children achieve their dreams. Beginning today, people can text "DREAM" to 85944 for the chance to take a trip to Africa with Katharine McPhee and make a $10 donation to Malaria No More; every donation will treat a child for malaria.

The campaign runs through February 16, and kicks off a year of activities on behalf of Malaria No More; Katharine's declared cause for 2012. Click here to view a video from Katharine and see Official Rules for other ways to enter.

"I share a dream with Malaria No More, and that's to see a day when no one is dying from malaria," said Smash star Katharine McPhee. "Until that day comes, I'm committed to fighting the disease and look forward to helping kids in Africa have a greater chance at achieving their dreams. 

How "Dream Big" works:

Within 24 hours of texting "DREAM" to 85944, entrants will receive a link for an online form to enter their contact information and one sentence about their own dream for Africa. Ten finalists will be chosen and asked to submit a 300-word blog and a simple thirty second video on why they're the best person for the trip. The applicant with the best blog post and video will receive a call and be named winner of "Dream Big"! The campaign will also launch on Facebook here.

Katharine McPhee and the "Dream Big" winner will travel to the school she helped build in Burkina Faso and to Ghana to distribute life-saving mosquito nets and to share malaria education with students.

"Every action – from a fan making a $10 donation to a child receiving a life-saving dose of malaria medicine – makes a difference," said David Bowen, CEO of Malaria No More. "We're thrilled to have Katharine and her fans joining the winnable fight against malaria."

Malaria robs more children of their dreams than any other disease in Africa, killing a child every minute. Yet, it's completely preventable and treatable – and with every text helping to treat a child for malaria, the world will be closer to reaching its goal of near zero malaria deaths by 2015.

About Malaria No More

Malaria No More is committed to achieving the global goal of near zero malaria deaths by 2015. Malaria No More leverages high-impact communications to engage the world, global advocacy to rally leadership and strategic investments to accelerate progress. For more information, visit www.MalariaNoMore.org, read our Buzzwords blog, fan our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

About Katharine McPhee

Actress and Columbia recording artist Katharine McPhee is currently shooting the highly anticipated Steven Spielberg/NBC TV series "SMASH" in New York City, premiering February 6th. In addition to her acting and singing career, McPhee is a passionate philanthropist; supporting causes such as St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and Feeding America, in addition to Malaria No More.

Mobile Giving Compliance

A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your pre-paid balance. Message and Data Rates May Apply. All charges are billed and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. By participating you certify that you agree to the terms and conditions and you are 18 years or older or have parental permission. All purchases must be authorized by account holder. Donations are collected for the benefit of Malaria No More by the Innovative Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at igfn.org/t. Privacy Policy: igfn.org/p. Text STOP to 85944 to stop; Text HELP to 85944 for help.

Press Contact:
Erica Lichtenberger
Malaria No More
212-710-5891
[email protected]

Julie Cloutier
Sunshine Sachs
212-691-2800
[email protected]

SOURCE Malaria No More