Take The Million Nets Pledge

Today, we announced The Million Nets Pledge, our new two-year commitment to protect refugee families from malaria with one million bednets by 2016. This ambitious $10 million pledge focuses on our increased work with UN partners to protect children, refugees, and families displaced by conflict in sub-Saharan Africa from malaria.

I was honored to make this announcement at our special launch event in New York, which featured remarks from several of our partners and supporters who made their own commitments toward The Million Nets Pledge.

Lieutenant Commander Dr. Andy Baldwin, an ironman triathlete, humanitarian, US Naval Officer and physician, and star of ABC’s hit show, "The Bachelor,” has pledged his commitment through a running challenge against me. From April 1 through April 25, World Malaria Day, we each will run “Miles for Malaria,” donating $1 for the other’s total miles tally. The loser has to buzz his hair!

Many representatives from the sports community were also on hand for the landmark announcement. Founding partners The NBA and MLS WORKS were in attendance, as well as new partner the Whistle Sports Network, and tennis professional Vania King who represented Athletes for Hope. This month, King, along with professional athletes including Steve Blake and Kristen Hildebrand, announced their commitments to Nothing But Nets and The Million Nets Pledge.

Whether a Boy Scout who hiked 100 miles, or 9-year-old who swam across the San Francisco Bay, hundreds of thousands of our supporters and partners worldwide have done amazing things to raise awareness and funds to help us send nets and save lives. Junior Chamber International (JCI) has rallied its 200,000 members worldwide to help Nothing But Nets send hundreds of thousands of nets. Opera singer Simon Estes and his Foundation have contributed $200,000 to us and mobilized students across the state of Iowa to get involved in the fight against malaria.

Golden State Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry continues his Three for Three Challenge, donating three nets for every three-pointer he makes during the NBA season. The Warriors will match his challenge up to $5,000. Just last week, Curry broke his own NBA record for three-pointers in a single season and currently has 284.

Anyone from students to CEOs can join The Million Nets Pledge and help us send one million nets to protect refugee families from malaria. Go to www.NothingButNets.net/MillionNetsPledge to take the pledge and help save lives.