NETwork Against Malaria

2012-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

NETwork Against Malaria in the News Featuring Madelyn

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Enjoy Madelyn and NETwork in the NEWs.

Enjoy NETwork and Madelyn featured in the News.

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Show Your Support for NETwork Against Malaria!

Show your support by buying NETwork Against Malaria T-shirts and Jewelry. All profits go to net purchases.

Order online, look for a representative near you, or e-mail us at NETworkAgainstMalaria@gmail.com!

(NETwork Against Malaria is a non-profit organization recognized as exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to NETwork Against Malaria are tax deductible under Section 107 of the code.)

Jewelry

Bracelets- $5

Key chains- $7

Earrings- $8

Necklaces- $10

T-shirts- $10

Beads are from Bead for Life (http://www.beadforlife.org/) and are made by impoverished women in Uganda. Necklaces and bracelets can be made with wire or hem--perfect for men and women!

T-Shirts

Purchase your colorful T to show your support for NETwork.

T-shirts- $10

(Front) (Back)

2008-03-26T01:04:00.000-07:00

Malaria in Our World

Malaria has plagued the world throughout history. The disease that stretches to throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East has even appeared in traces of dinosaur remains. From the Egyptians mummies to President George Washington to the armies of Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan, malaria has left its mark upon the human history. Scientists believe that one in every two people that has ever lived, died of malaria. [1]

Malaria wreaks havoc across the globe. Fifty percent of the world population is at risk for malaria. Half a billion people fall ill to malaria every single year. One to three million of these people die. Those most susceptible to malaria are people with weakened immune systems: young children, pregnant mothers, and their unborn babies.

Malaria is extremely prevalent in Africa. Malaria is the number one cause of death in children under age five.[2] The warm African climate is the most nurturing climate for the world’s most deadly strain of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria takes the worst toll on those who do not have the resources to prevent it or treat it. Those most affected by malaria are the rural poor. Miles from pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals, it is difficult to obtain preventative medicine, which is often too expensive to buy anyway.[3] And once a child falls ill, it is an odyssey and race against time to reach medical assistance.

Thousands upon thousands of years of malaria. It would seem that the problem must have been eradicated—certainly some solution would have been discovered. shockingly, malaria affects more people than it ever has. It is endemic to 106 countries. And over just one generation, the malaria death toll has doubled.[4]

Malaria very much still exists. It exists particularly in some of the world’s poorest countries.[5] For decades it has been greatly neglected, most likely because it has been eradicated in the world’s more prosperous countries. But aid agencies and governments have in the last several years have begun to confront the catastrophic effect that malaria has on the world’s population.[6]

[1] Finkel, Michael. “Bedlam in the Blood.” National Geographic. July 2007.

[2] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[3] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[4] Finkel, Michael. “Bedlam in the Blood.” National Geographic. July 2007.

[5] “Malaria.” World Health Organization. 2008. 31 Dec. 2007. <http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/>.

[6] Finkel, Michael. “Bedlam in the Blood.” National Geographic. July 2007.

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Cause of the Silent Killer

Malaria comes from a parasite…Malaria is carried by single-celled, wormlike parasites called Plasmodia. Before a mosquito bites a person, they surround the area they are going to bite with a circle of saliva. The Plasmodium parasite lives inside the mosquito’s salivary glands. Plasmodia are small—so small that 50,000 could fit inside a period at the end of a sentence. Several dozen Plasmodia enter the blood stream, but it only takes one to kill a person. The parasite travels through the circulatory system until it reaches and burrows into the person’s liver cells.

There are four different species of malaria parasite that affect humans, but the most prevalent and the most dangerous to humans is Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium falciparum is the only species that attacks the brain. In the entire world, half of world’s cases of infection, and 95% of deaths by malaria are caused by Plasmodium falciparum. [1]

Just a bite…Malaria comes from the bite of a “loaded” Anopheles mosquito. The Anopheles mosquito is the only insect that can carry the human malaria parasite. In fact, it is only the female mosquito that transmits the malaria disease. The female depends on hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, to nourish her eggs.

Malaria transmission is a chain. A mosquito obtains the Plasmodia when they bite a person who is carrying the parasite. The now “loaded” mosquito then passes the parasite to next person it bites. [2]

A person does not stir as the parasite travels through their body. Most people are bit at night at night between 12 – 4 am. Mosquitos creep into uncovered windows and attack their unsuspecting victims. The path of the parasite begins with the bite. The Plasmodium leaves the mosquitoes’ salivary glands and enters the person’s circularatory system. The parasite travels through the person’s blood stream until it stops in her liver and burrows into the liver cells. There the Plasmodia eat and multiply…each one 40,000 times. Stretched beyond capacity, the liver finally bursts. The freed parasites then attack and kill the red blood cells. Without the oxygen-carrying red blood cells, the vital organs fail. [3]

Then the signs come. The child lives unaware as their body struggles against the foreign invader for one to two weeks. But then her temperature rises as her frenzied body struggles to overcome the parasite. What at first seemed to be the flu has morphed into something far more dangerous. High fevers…Shivering…cold sweat…freezing…vomiting…chills…sweat. All the while, the body is raging inside inside. When the fever reaches its peak, the body is so hot it almost boiling itself alive.

At its worst…it is the falciparum species that invades. Some of the red blood cells grow knobs on their surface and hook onto the brain. Locked onto the brain, these cells are prevented from reaching the spleen, where damaged cells are destroyed. But this attachment causes the worst form of malaria of all. This attachment causes the brain to swell. Cerebral Malaria. The worst kind of all.

It is at this point that the body succumbs. The parasite destroys so many oxygen-carrying red blood cells that the lungs and brain shut down. The blood becomes too acidic and brain cells die. The child convulses and falls into a coma. In addition to the coma, the child falls prey to life-threatening anemia and brain damage—and seeps deeper and deeper into the clutches of death.

The child is now at the mercy of malaria. Mothers, fathers, cousins, grandmothers carry children for miles upon miles. They drive, ride, paddle, and run to the nearest clinic. If they reach their destination, they can only hope and pray that it is not too late. [4]

[1] Finkel, Michael. “Bedlam in the Blood.” National Geographic. July 2007.

[2] The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[3] Finkel, Michael. “Bedlam in the Blood.” National Geographic. July 2007

[4] Finkel, Michael. “Bedlam in the Blood.” National Geographic. July 2007

2008-03-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

How NETwork Started:

The idea of NETwork Against Malaria began when we met Fr. Mujule, a priest who has come to serve the Diocease of Belleville from the diocease of Hoima in Uganda. Fr. Mujule began 2 girls' schools and a co-ed secondary school. Educating "the girl-child" is not valued in Uganda ; his efforts were met with much resistance. Fr. Mujule is undoubtedly a national treasure of Uganda , and in spite of their poverty, they gave him up to come serve us.

Fr. Mujule represented a Ugandan view of Malaria as he discussed his frustration with the disease. In Uganda, Malaria hospitalizes one out of every 2 children under age 5, costs every Ugandan family about ¼ of their annual income, causes children to miss about 60 days of school every year, and claims the life of one Ugandan child every 5 minutes. Malaria propagates the problem of poverty in countless ways.

Fr. Mujule is not only frustrated by the drastic effects of the problem, he is also frustrated because it does not have to be this way. Malaria is preventable.

What NETwork Does:

He proposed a way we could assist. We are helping him with a solution. We are raising money to purchase ten dollar malaria nets.

The solution is very plausible. 10 dollars saves a life. We are working with Fr. Mujule and another priest currently in Uganda to raise money for the children at Fr. Mujule's schools and the communities they serve. The money is sent to the priest in Uganda, the nets are purchased and given to the girls in the schools who are trained to use the nets. In turn, the girls bring nets home to their families and teach them how to use the nets. NETwork Against Malaria stands out because of its great emphasis on education.

Fr. Mujule receives letters frequently from the students at his schools. One girl wrote to him, "You do not know me, but I know you…I see your picture every day…I want to thank you…." Small efforts like donating a malaria net impacts the lives of people very day. You may never come to know the person you impact, but rest assured, they "know" you.

2008-01-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

What is malaria?

Malaria is a disease of the blood caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. Plasmodium is transmitted from person to person enters a persons body transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

People who are infected with malaria experience flu-like symptoms. If malaria goes untreated it can lead to much more serious problems, even death. Survivors often suffer from brain damage and learning impairments.[1] A person dies from malaria when the parasite destroys the red blood cells by clogging capillaries that carry blood cells to the brain (cerebral malaria) or other vital organs.[2]

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What are the symptoms of malaria?

The symptoms of malaria appear 9-14 days after the infected bite. Symptoms include:

Fever
Headaches
Vomiting
Chills
Flu-like symptoms

What happens when malaria goes untreated?[3]

Brain damage
Coma
Life-threatening anemia
Death

Who is most at risk for malaria?

Forty percent of the world’s population is at risk for malaria. 500 million people fall ill to malaria every year, and one to three million people die. Malaria affects most regions of the world: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Malaria is particularly present in some of the world’s poorest countries.[4]

The people who are most at risk for malaria are young children, pregnant mothers, and their unborn babies. These people are most at risk for malaria because their immune systems are often not strong enough to fend off the Plasmodium parasite. In Africa, malaria is the number one cause of death in children under age five.[5]

Why does malaria still exist?

Malaria still exists, particularly in Africa. Africa’s warm climate is suitable for the most deadly strain of malaria. Malaria takes the worst toll on those who do not have the resources to prevent it or treat it. Those most affected by malaria are the rural poor who have the least access to medicines to prevent and treat malaria. They have the least access to clinics and hospitals, and even if they did, they so often have too little money to pay for them.[6]

What are the affects of malaria?

Malaria has huge socio-economic impacts its victims. Malaria perpetuates a cycle of poverty. Africa’s annual economic loss due to malaria is calculated to be 12 billion dollars. Africa’s annual loss in GDP (gross domestic product) is 1.3%. Malaria takes a huge economic toll on the people it affects. Treatment is expensive for families who already can afford very little. Malaria interferes with people’s ability to work, especially those who work as farmers. Funerals and burials can be expensive and time for families as well.[7]

How is malaria prevented?

The aim of malaria prevention is to reduce the number and the rate of malaria infections. Everyday precautions such as disposing of materials that attract mosquitoes, closing doors and windows before night, and burning logs, cow dung, and plants can reduce the risk of malaria. In addition there are two methods that reduce malaria more significantly: Long Acting Insecticide by Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and Long Lasting Insectidal News (LLINs).

Why are nets the best form of prevention?

There are significant reasons why malaria nets are the best form of malaria preventions. Parasites are developing resistance to many insecticides. In addition, they are also becoming immune to the most common and safest malaria medicines (chloroquine and fansidar.) Fake antimalarial drugs also filter into needy countries and are purchased by unsuspecting families.[8] Malaria nets are inexpensive, only about ten U.S. dollars per net. Three children can share a net. Even sleeping in the same room as an insecticide treated net reduces a person’s risk of malaria.

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“The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 2 Jan 2008. http://www.slate.com/id/2164896.
“The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 2 Jan 2008. http://www.slate.com/id/2164896.
Kyu-Young Lee. “Fighting Malaria in Uganda.” 2007. 2 Jan 2008. http://www.slate.com/id/2164896.
“Malaria.” World Health Organization. 2008. 31 Dec 2007. http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en.
“The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. http://www.slate.com/id/2164896.
“The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. http://www.slate.com/id/2164896.
“The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. http://www.slate.com/id/2164896.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Malaria Facts.” Department of Health and Human Services. 2007. 23 Dec 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/facts.htm.

2008-01-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the NETwork Against Malaria site. We are trying to raise money to purchase malaria nets in Uganda. 93% of Uganda's population is at risk for malaria. This group is dedicated to providing nets for children and pregnant women, the most at risk people in Uganda.

Watch our informational video to find just what NETwork is doing!

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Elementary, Middle, and High School Chapters:

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WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!

You can donate by writing a CHECK to:

NETwork Against Malaria

c/o The Bank of Edwardsville

5720 West Main Street

Belleville, IL 62226

Or Donate Online:

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University Chapters:

Creighton University - Omaha, Nebraska
Marquette University - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
University of Dayton - Dayton, Ohio
University of Notre Dame - South Bend, Indiana

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Donate!

2008-01-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

Malaria affects the people of Uganda…

Malaria is number one cause of sickness and death in Uganda.
70,000-110,000 people die of malaria every year.
It has been calculated that a Ugandan person loses 23.4% of the years of their life to malaria.

Malaria affects the pregnant women of Uganda…

Malaria is number one cause of sickness and death in Uganda.
70,000-110,000 people die of malaria every year.
It has been calculated that a Ugandan person loses 23.4% of the years of their life to malaria.

Malaria affects the children of Uganda…

In Uganda, malaria kills 350 children die every day.
Malaria is the main cause of infant mortality.
Malaria causes underweight and premature births.
One out of every two children is admitted to the hospital from malaria.
8-25% of the children admitted to the hospital die.
70% of child out patients die of malaria.
On average, the Ugandan child suffers from six malaria episodes every year.
Malaria often causes stunted growth, childhood anemia, and mental retardation.

Malaria affects the economy of Uganda…

Malaria is the number one cause of poverty in Uganda.
Malaria impedes a person’s income when: they must attend to themselves and others, pay for prevention and treatment, transportation to and from clinics, and funeral and burial costs.
The poor can spend up to 25% of their income on malaria prevention and treatment.

How is malaria treated in Uganda?

The majority of people in countries where malaria is prevalent prefer to use allopathic medicine. They can purchase antimalarial medicines, such as cholorquine and fansidar, at drug stores. Most people do not posses enough knowledge of herbal medicine to use traditional remedies in fighting malaria. [1]

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[1] “Malaria.” World Health Organization. 4 Jan. 2008.

<http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/index.html>.

2008-01-01T11:53:00.000-08:00

What is malaria?

What are the symptoms of malaria?

The symptoms of malaria appear 9-14 days after the infected bite. Symptoms include:

· Fever

· Headaches

· Vomiting

· Chills

· Flu-like symptoms

What happens when malaria goes untreated?[3]

· Brain damage

· Coma

· Life-threatening anemia

· Death

Who is most at risk for malaria?

Why does malaria still exist?

What are the affects of malaria?

How is malaria prevented?

Why are nets the best form of prevention?

[1] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 2 Jan. 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[2] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 2 Jan. 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[3] Kyu-Young Lee. “Fighting Malaria in Uganda.” 2007. 2 Jan. 2008.

<http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[4] “Malaria.” World Health Organization. 2008. 31 Dec. 2007. <http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/>.

[5] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[6] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[7] “The Disease.” Malaria No More. 2008. 8 Jan 2008. <http://www.slate.com/id/2164896/>.

[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Malaria Facts.” Department of Health and Human Services. 2007. 23 Dec. 2007. <http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/facts.htm>.