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, who challenged each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed net, thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation. Every $10 donation to Nothing But Nets goes directly toward the purchase, distribution, and education about the proper use of an insecticide-treated bed net. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match each donation, net for net. Bed nets work in two ways. They stop mosquitoes from biting during the night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kill the mosquitoes when they land on it, stopping them from flying on to find their next victim. <br>
Malaria is one of the most serious global health issues. Approximately 500 million people each year are infected, and more than one million of those die. Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa where the disease is a leading killer of children, accounting for twenty percent of all childhood deaths.
