Today at the United Center, The United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), Nothing But Nets spokesperson Luol Deng, and the Chicago Bulls will call on Chicago citizens to help lead Americans across the country in a response to an urgent, immediate need for insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria in temporary refugee camps on the Chad-Sudan and Chad-CAR border.
(PRWEB) July 16, 2007 -- What: On July 16, 2007 at the United Center, The United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation), Nothing But Nets spokesperson Luol Deng, and the Chicago Bulls will call on Chicago citizens to help lead Americans across the country in a response to an urgent, immediate need for insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria in temporary refugee camps on the Chad-Sudan and Chad-CAR border. It is estimated that 25 percent of children under five in the camps will die from malaria if the nets are not delivered before the height of the rainy season.
Working together in Chad, UNICEF, the UN High Commission on Refugees and the MENTOR Initiative recognized this emergency need and immediately sought assistance from the UN Foundation to help provide the bed nets. The UN Foundation, through its Nothing But Nets campaign—a global, grassroots effort to deliver insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria—pledges to raise the necessary funds to meet the need and send the life-saving nets. Nothing But Nets partner, the Chicago Bulls, will be on hand to announce their pledge to the fundraising effort.
This appeal comes during the middle of a series of events Nothing But Nets is hosting in Chicago, Ill., as part of its national effort to raise awareness about malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. During the month, the UN Foundation, The People of the United Methodist Church, Major League Soccer's M.L.S. Works, the Chicago Fire, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Sky, and the Luol Deng Foundation are co-hosting several events, including a Malaria Boot Camp for over 200 local middle and high school students and a faith leaders breakfast for area faith and lay leaders.
Who: Thomas J. Bickerton – Bishop, The United Methodist Church
Kathy Bushkin Calvin – Executive Vice President and COO, United Nations Foundation
Luol Deng – NBA Athlete, Chicago Bulls; and Founder, Luol Deng Foundation
Diego Gutierrez – MLS Athlete, Chicago Fire
Bob Love – Director of Community Affairs; and former NBA Athlete, Chicago Bulls
Elizabeth McKee – Director of Nothing But Nets, United Nations Foundation
Steve Schanwald – Chicago Bulls, Executive Vice President-Business Operations
Margaret Stender – WNBA Chicago Sky, President and CEO
Local events:
Monday, July 16
1:00 – 1:40 p.m. CDT—UN Foundation – Nothing But Nets Press Conference, United Center
(United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612)
The UN Foundation will call on Americans to help respond to an urgent, immediate need for insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria in temporary refugee camps on the Chad-Sudan border. An estimated 25 percent of children under five in the camps will die from this disease if the nets are not delivered. Nothing But Nets partner, the Chicago Bulls, will be on-hand to announce their pledge to the fundraising effort.
*Parking is available in Lot H on Wood Street. Media should enter the United Center through Gate 4.
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. CDT—Nothing But Nets Malaria Boot Camp, United Center
(United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612)
Players from the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Sky and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn will work with hundreds of local middle school and high school students in a three-hour workshop to learn more about Nothing But Nets, malaria prevention, and what youth can do to raise awareness in their communities.
Tuesday, July 17,
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. CDT—Faith Leaders’ Breakfast, Chicago Temple
(77 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602)
Faith leaders from the Chicago area will come together to pray for children and families who suffer from malaria and discuss the current issues and threats posed by this disease. The discussion will also focus on opportunities for United Methodists and other faith groups to get involved in Nothing But Nets.
Interview Availability. Photo Opportunity.
All events are open to credentialed media only.
Please contact Amy DiElsi at 202-419-3230.
For more information visit, www.NothingButNets.net/Chicago or call 1-800-380-1810.
About Nothing But Nets
Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, the people of The United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. Other partners include VH1, The Mark J. Gordon Foundation, AOL Black Voices, Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Wasserman Foundation, The Women’s National Basketball Association’s WNBA Cares, and Rotarians’ Action Group on Malaria. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations dollar for dollar. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.
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