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Community Corner

Novato Malaria Campaign

Parade-goers who stuck it out to the last few minutes of Novato’s Fourth of July parade cheered and applauded for the colorful Novato Malaria Campaign float, which came complete with balloons and buttons for kids along the route.  The float was accompanied by 21 campaign supporters, aged 10 months to 92 years, and one malaria survivor.   

 

Malaria is one of the most deadly preventable diseases still active in the world today.  While 90% of the deaths from malaria occur in Africa, nearly 2,000 cases of malaria were reported in the United States (though none in Novato) in 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  Loss of productivity caused by malaria is estimated at $12 billion annually, and, tragically, a child dies of malaria in Africa every 60 seconds. 

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But malaria is preventable and treatable.  Treated mosquito nets, vaccines and drug treatments are readily available, and more research into vaccines and treatments is underway around the world.  Dozens of national and international organizations are working together to raise the billions of dollars required to eradicate malaria totally within the next decade. 

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Since late last year, the Novato Malaria Campaign has been spreading the word about the world malaria crisis and the local community’s fundraising efforts.  Four national organizations will receive the funds raised in Novato:  the ELCA Malaria Campaign, Nothing But Nets, Imagine No Malaria, and Malaria No More.

 

The ELCA Malaria Campaign is focused on education, prevention, treatment and sustainable lifestyle in partnership with Lutheran churches in 13 African countries that are hardest hit by the disease.  Nothing But Nets was founded by the Methodist church and is now partnered with the National Basketball Association, among others.  Imagine No Malaria, also founded by the Methodist Church, calls itself “nets plus” and works to improve infrastructure, communications and education in locations throughout Africa.  Malaria No More is a consortium of national business leaders with partner organizations worldwide, seeking to raise awareness of the disease, rally public support for the cause, and raise money for eradication.

 

The Novato Malaria Campaign also conducted a raffle, giving tickets to early donors who gave more than $5.00 to the campaign.  The raffle concluded on July 5; a list of the winners is posted on the campaign’s website.

 

Although the campaign did not reach its ultimate goal of $53,301 by July 4, close to $10,000 was donated as of parade day.  Money continues to come in, and the campaign will remain open for the foreseeable future.   Donations can be sent to the Novato Malaria Campaign at P.O. Box 2403, Novato 94948, or on-line via the campaign’s website, novatomalariacampaign.org.    Friends can also follow the campaign on its Facebook page, novatomalaria.


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