Running Miles for Malaria

As a doctor, a humanitarian, and a triathlete, I feel very connected to malaria and the devastating effects it continues to have on families in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is 100% preventable and treatable, yet a child dies every 60 seconds from the disease. With the help of organizations like Nothing But Nets, I hope to see malaria eradicated in my lifetime. In order to turn this dream into action, I am joining Nothing But Nets to raise awareness and send bednets to help save lives.

Nothing But Nets just announced the Million Nets Pledge, a two-year goal to protect refugee families with 1 million bednets by the end of 2016. This is an incredible commitment and I want to help get them started!

To help kick it off, I pledged to raise funds and awareness for malaria by running every day through World Malaria Day, April 25, as a demonstration of solidarity with the millions of refugee families across sub-Saharan Africa who often have to walk miles to safety or to be diagnosed and treated for malaria.

To up the ante and make this a true challenge, I will be competing against Nothing But Nets Director, Chris Helfrich! Each of us will donate $1 for every mile that the other runs from now through April 25. The loser will also be buzzing his head!

Will you join The Million Nets Pledge in honor of World Malaria Day? You can donate to my pledge or sign up for your own running challenge.

Watch out Chris! I am an eight-time Ironman finisher, was named to the All-Navy Triathlon Team five times, a three-time U.S.A. Triathlon All-American, competed internationally in numerous Ironman events, and was on The Bachelor—I’m tough competition.

Be sure to follow Chris and me on Twitter (@NBNDirector and @DrAndyBaldwin) to see how far we run by World Malaria Day on behalf of refugee families. Join #TeamChris or #TeamAndy!