Boys & Girls Clubs of Tracy Helps Families in Africa- Help us Donate to Malaria No More
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tracy-Lowell Unit learned Malaria kills more than 3,000 children every day in Africa. One African child dies every 30 seconds. Malaria infects between 350 million and 500 million people every year.
A simple $10 mosquito net can save lives. The Lowell Torch Club jumped into action to help others half way around the world.
The Torch Club led by staff member Ashley Sughayar opened a “Malaria No More” concessions stand during club hours and flag football games, and sold hot dogs, nachos and drinks. The Torch Club made posters to educate their customers and club members on the dangers of malaria and how a $10 net can save lives.
The Torch Club raised enough money to buy 24 nets and have educated many on how something as small as $10 can change a life.
TOP 10 FACTS ABOUT MALARIA
- Malaria kills more than 3,000 children every day in Africa. One African child dies every 30 seconds.
- Malaria infects between 350 million and 500 million people every year.
- Malaria is completely preventable and treatable, through the use of preventative tools like the simple $10 mosquito net.
- Ninety percent of malaria cases happen in Africa, and 75 percent of those who die from malaria worldwide are African children.
- While 96 percent of Americans consider AIDS a very serious problem in Africa, only 28% of Americans know that malaria is also a grave threat.
- People suffering from malaria feel as if they have a severe flu, with high fever and vomiting. Without medicine, infected people can fall into a coma, brain damage, life-threatening anemia and die.
- The specific kind of mosquitoes that thrive in Africa (anopheles) strongly prefer to feed on humans rather than cattle or other animals, putting African people at higher risk for getting the disease.
- Africa’s economy loses an estimated $12 billion per year because of people falling ill with malaria. This represents a crippling 1.3 percent loss of gross domestic product growth in countries where the disease exists.
- People in the United States have not had to worry about getting malaria for more than 50 years. Though it was once found in the southeast region, it was wiped out through aggressive public health efforts.
- For just $10, you can provide a life-saving bed net to an African child or family who needs one, protecting that child or family from malaria for up to five years!