One thing the celebs have that you DON’T want!
by Jack Arrowsmith on Jan 21, 2011
Today is the 21st of January, so now we’re well into the first month of the New Year. For many a new year signals potential, excitement, progression and opportunity, but not for some.
For millions of people in Africa, this gift of hope that comes with the start of a new year is stripped away from them by Malaria. With the very recent news that George Clooney is recovering from his second bout of the deadly disease, I feel it poignant to reiterate the extremity of this disease, its devastating impact, and take a very unashamed opportunity to promote the great work of Malaria No More, with its aim of ending malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.
‘Malaria is an infectious blood disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes’ (http://www.malarianomore.org/malaria). If the devastation of malaria on Africa isn’t clear enough, allow me to help – I know how much everyone loves facts and figures, so let me give you some…
- A child dies every 45 seconds of malaria in Africa.
- Up to one third of all children who die before their fifth birthday die of malaria
- Malaria costs Africa over £8 billion a year in lost economic output
- In Africa, it is estimated that up to 200,000 newborns die each year as a result of malaria in pregnancy and malaria can cause anaemia and death for pregnant women
…Clearer now?
At FutureBrand we are wholly committed in the fight against malaria and strive to support MalariaNoMore, in our partnership with them to help achieve their goal of ending deaths caused by Malaria by 2015. We truly want to end fatalities caused by this disease that plagues Africa and other parts of the world.
Here is some more malaria info:
- There are 270,000,000 annual cases of malaria worldwide
- Over 2000 UK holiday makers a year return with malaria
- 91% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa
I could go on…
…so I will…
- In 2009 an estimated 781,000 people died from malaria
- 85% of malaria victims are young, African, children
- Malaria causes flu like symptoms and if left untreated can lead to coma and even death
Malaria is an indiscriminate disease, it makes no distinction between creed, colour or status, as shown with the recent high profile cases of those who have contacted malaria; Didier Drogba, Cheryl Cole, Jeremy Piven, Anderson Cooper and George Clooney (for the second time), not to mention the less recent but still high profile cases of Presidents Washington, Monroe, Jackson, Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, Roosevelt and Kennedy!
These famous names, like those in Africa (and any of us) can contract the disease, but they have access to the right medical care at the right time (especially the more recent cases). This “proper” medical care can “turn the most lethal condition in Africa [into] a bad 10 days instead of a death sentence”, said George Clooney, speaking of his recent fight with the disease he contracted for the second time after his recent political trip to Sudan. The problem is that millions of people who contract the disease do not have access to this medical care and these preventative tools. It is up to all of us to do everything we can to help MalariaNoMore’s cause!
There is some good news however. Thanks to MalariaNoMore, its partners and other institutions efforts, things are changing for the better.
- 9 African countries have reduced malaria deaths by more than 50%
- In 11 African countries, childhood mosquito net use has increased tenfold in the past decade
- MalariaNoMore has distributed 2.6 million mosquito nets in 13 African countries to cover over 5,000,000 people
With MalriaNoMore’s affiliation to many high profile individuals and organisations, and with their extraordinary and innovative efforts, progress is being made and awareness is increasing. We need to continue to increase this progress and awareness. FutureBrand is thrilled to be an official partner with MalariaNoMore Worldwide and is committed to helping eradicate death from Malaria by 2015.
Malaria is preventable and treatable with the use of simple tools such as mosquito nets, safe indoor spraying and effective medicines. So many people are coming up with new ways to tackle this disease (just ask Bill Gates!); be one of them!
For me there are three key words; Educate (yourself), Help (others) and Donate (to MNM).
Clooney’s got it, Cheryl had it, Drogba had it…you don’t want it!
To find out more about MalariaNoMore, malaria and what you can do, visit:
http://malarianomore.org.uk/ http://malarianomore.org/ http://www.futurebrand.com/about/we-care/
To see George Clooney speak about his experience with malaria, tune in to ‘Piers Morgan Tonight’ on CNN, 21/01/11. US: 9pm ET/6pm PT and UK: 8pm GMT