United Against Malaria Delivers a Call for Malaria Support

WASHINGTON, April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressional Malaria Champions today received over 20,000 signatures from people around the world supporting efforts to eliminate malaria. Members of local youth soccer teams and actress Molly Sims presented signatures gathered through United Against Malaria (UAM), a soccer driven anti-malaria campaign, and by World Vision's End Malaria campaign. Just ahead of World Malaria Day, partner organizations and individuals are showing their support for U.S. government malaria programs.

"As we approach World Malaria Day, it is important that we recognize the United States' role as a leader in the fight against this deadly disease," said Speaker Pelosi. "Congress remains committed to sustaining our leadership as we work to rid the world of malaria deaths."

"Despite being completely preventable and treatable, malaria continues to cause too many deaths among pregnant women, young children and vulnerable individuals across Africa and worldwide," said Senator Feingold, founder and co-chair of the United States Senate Working Group on Malaria.  "There have been considerable innovation and initiatives over recent years toward reducing those deaths, but sustained progress will require local, national and international leadership.  The United States government has been at the forefront of these efforts and we should continue to lead the world in uniting against malaria."

"Ending deaths from malaria is the first step in providing better health services, enhanced infrastructure, and improving maternal and child mortality," said Ray Chambers, United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy for Malaria and UAM champion. It is difficult to imagine a greater return on investment than malaria funding.  Together we can put an end to the disease that has devastated mankind for thousands of years.  I'm proud to stand beside the thousands of people that Unite Against Malaria."  

Malaria is a devastating disease that disproportionately affects Africa.  Half of the world's population is at risk of contracting malaria and there are nearly one million malaria related deaths each year.  Overwhelmingly, malaria's victims are pregnant women and children under five.  However, by using proven and effective tools, such as insecticide treated mosquito nets, artemisinin combination therapies and indoor residual spraying, we can meet the UN goal of ending malaria deaths by 2015.

United Against Malaria is a partnership of soccer stars, non-governmental organizations, foundations, governments, corporations and individuals who are joining forces ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to unite against malaria.  By leveraging soccer, UAM aims to raise global awareness and renew worldwide commitment to ending malaria, as well as increase the use of prevention tools and malaria treatment in Africa.

Founding partners include Comic Relief, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria No More, ONE, PATH, PSI (Population Services International), the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, the United Nations Foundation and the United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria. World Vision, through its End Malaria advocacy campaign drives and on Facebook, rallied thousands of supporters to add to the chorus of anti-malaria voices.

SOURCE United Against Malaria