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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
February 2007 |
Nothing But Nets hopes to help conquer malaria in Africa
By Lori Crantford
Nearly 3,000 children die every day in Africa from malaria. |
Sudden death. In sports, that term is used in an overtime situation where the team who scores first wins. Generally, scoring is accomplished by putting a ball through or into a net.
Sudden death. When it comes to malaria in third-world countries, one bite from an infected mosquito can, and does, result in a rather sudden death for 1,000,000 people every year. Nearly 3,000 children die every day in Africa from malaria. Amazingly, just like the scenario above, a net can make all the difference between winning and losing.
In May 2006, Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly wrote an article entitled "Nothing But Nets." In it, he laid out the scenario of this "completely preventable" tragedy. He wrote, "See, nearly 3,000 kids die every day in Africa from malaria. And according to the World Health Organization, transmission of the disease would be reduced by 60 percent with the use of mosquito nets and prompt treatment for the infected. Three thousand kids! That's a 9/11 every day!
"Put it this way: Let's say your little Justin's Kickin' Kangaroos have a big youth soccer tournament on Saturday. There are 15 kids on the team, 10 teams in the tourney. And there are 20 of these tournaments going on all over town. Suddenly, every one of these kids gets chills and fever, then starts throwing up and then gets short of breath. And in seven to 10 days, they're all dead of malaria."
Malaria infects more than 500 million people a year, and one person dies about every 30 seconds. The disease is particularly devastating in Africa, where it is a leading killer of children. Africa is home to the deadliest strain of malaria, as well as the mosquito best equipped to transmit the disease. Africa's infrastructure and economy also lends itself well to the breeding of the disease.
AIDS and malaria
AIDS and malaria go hand in hand. It is not the actual AIDS virus that causes death. The lowered immune system of AIDS patients is their deadliest enemy. Malaria is the number one killer of AIDS patients in Africa, closely followed by tuberculosis. The fight against AIDS and malaria go hand in hand.
Global health is a primary concern to The United Methodist Church. During the December 2006 United Methodist Global Health Initiative Dialogue, Bishop Janice Riggle Huie called on the church to "stamp out the diseases of poverty, particularly malaria and HIV/AIDS."
The Rev. R. Randy Day, general secretary of the UMC General Board of Global Ministries noted that while the holidays are a time for children to celebrate, those children affected by malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS don't have the chance to do that. "The children aren't able physically to do that. They don't have the chance to live. They don't have a chance even to be children."
Nothing But Nets will give many children a chance to be children. To play. To learn. To live.
All it takes is $10 to save a life (See "Buy a Net, Save a Life" for information on how). During Lent the Indiana Area, at Bishop Mike Coyner's request, will focus its efforts on raising money for the Nothing But Nets campaign, hopefully $200,000.
DC reception
At a Jan. 25 reception hosted by the UMC General Board of Church and Society in Washington for United Methodists, U.S. Senators and Representatives, Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana introduced both the Rev. Dr. Kent Millard as the pastor of his home church and the topic of Nothing But Nets.
Millard - sporting not only an Indianapolis Colts tie, but a Colts stole as well - thanked Lugar for his work and continued support of his home church. He then went on to announce that St. Luke's is committing $100,000 to battle HIV/AIDS and malaria. Already $50,000 for HIV/AIDS has been pledged through the recent three-to-five year Powerful Possibilities Campaign. The $50,000 for Nothing But Nets will be raised through a Lenten offering and special Nothing But Nets fundraising events.
Information about buying nets.
Lori Crantford serves as director of communication for Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. This story first appeared in Saint Luke's COMMUNION magazine.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008