The front page of nytimes.com today includes an article called, “Spread of Malaria Feared as Drug Loses Potency”, describing a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine that shows some resistance to artemisinin in Cambodia. Read the article here.

The signs of resistance to artemisinin—a drug extracted from a Chinese herb to treat malaria—are certainly troubling.  The best anti-malarial medicines are made using artemisinin and it would be a major blow to the global health community if it was rendered ineffective. Any indications of resistance should and must be closely monitored and contained.

It’s important to note, however, that this resistance occurred in the face of artemisinin alone. The most recent and most effective drugs to treat malaria are artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) which combine more than one drug with artemisinin to stay ahead of resistance.  And the two people in the study who had build up a resistance to artemisinin were eventually cured.

That’s not to say this isn’t significant. This resistance was found in Cambodia, the same area which seems to have been a starting point for resistance to chloroquine, one of the first anti-malarials that is now largely ineffective. This shows that even more attention must be paid to intervention tools that will help to prevent malaria, while science continues its efforts to reaffirm the efficacy of malaria treatment like ACTs and build toward a vaccine.

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As the country prepares to inaugurate the 44th President of the United States, Malaria No More wants to know what kind of change YOU plan to make in 2009. The world is poised to end malaria deaths—how are you going to be a part of this victory against a deadly disease? You can show your commitment by:

• Reading about President-Elect Obama’s plans to fight malaria
• Telling the new Administration about your vision for a malaria-free future
• Hosting your own Inaugural Ball and charging $10 per ticket to purchase life-saving mosquito nets

Then tell us about how you’re joining in the fight against malaria or how you’ve already become an advocate for malaria control. We’ll feature the best story here on the Malaria No More blog, Buzzwords.

Melinda Doolittle—American Idol finalist and Malaria No More Spokesperson Extraordinaire—is getting ready to release her debut album, “Coming Back to You” in early February and we couldn’t be more excited! Not only is Melinda sure to dazzle audiences with her incredible voice on the new album, but she is also generously donating a portion of the album sales to Malaria No More…proving her continued commitment as a leader in the effort to end malaria deaths and inspiring her millions of fans to join the fight.

Melinda is giving $1 for every pre-ordered copy of “Coming Back to You”, $5 for every autographed CD, and $10 for every Limited Edition Combo—including an autographed CD, photograph and hoodie to celebrate her debut! Melinda is truly living her motto of DREAM BIG and helping Malaria No More to make a huge difference in the lives of children in Africa. While most of the world doubtless see her for the talented star she is, to Malaria No More Melinda is nothing less than a hero.

Melinda traveled with Malaria No More to Zambia in 2007 along with First Lady Laura Bush to help distribute nets raised through Idol Gives Back. Since then, she has continued to support our mission to end malaria deaths along with her fantastic fan net work including Melinda’s Backups, the Melinda Doolittle Street Team and many others!

Learn more about Melinda and all of her exciting news at www.MelindaDoolittle.com!

With Inauguration Day only a week away, now seems as good a time as any to look back on those Presidents in United States history who have grappled not only with international crises, economic downturns and philosophical dilemmas, but also with—cue the scary music—MALARIA!

That’s right, a number of U.S. Presidents suffered from malaria before it was eradicated from the States in 1951. See below for a brief history of those we affectionately call The Plasmodium Presidents:

• George Washington, (1st President, 1789-1797): Developed his first bout with malaria in Virginia in 1749 at age 17. He had periodic attacks, recorded in 1752, 1761, 1784, and 1798.
• James Monroe (5th President, 1817-1825) caught malaria while visiting a swampy area, where malarial mosquitoes thrive, along the Mississippi in 1785. He continued to have bouts for many years.
• Andrew Jackson (7th President, 1829-1837) is thought to have contracted malaria in Florida swamps during the Seminole campaigns of 1818-1821.
• Abraham Lincoln (16th President, 1861-1865) suffered frequently from malaria during his childhood.
• Ulysses S. Grant (18th President, 1869-1877) had malaria throughout the 1850s.
• James A. Garfield (20th President, 1881) developed malaria in 1848 in Ohio at age 16.
• Theodore Roosevelt (26th President, 1901-1909) acquired malaria during his Brazil Expedition in 1914.
• John F. Kennedy (35th President, 1961-1963) caught malaria in the South Pacific during World War II, about 1943.

But wait! Despite the eradication of malaria in 1951, the Plasmodium Presidents must add another to their list. President-Elect Barack Obama has stated that he has also suffered from malaria in the past—perhaps during his childhood in Indonesia, where malaria remains prevalent.  Luckily, the world is mobilizing to protect all children (future presidents included) from this debilitating disease.

Malaria No More is working with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and the Interfaith Youth Core on the Faiths Act Fellows program, which brings together 30 young leaders aged between 18-25 drawn from different faith backgrounds from the US, UK, and Canada to embark on a 10-month journey of interfaith service focused on the Millennium Development Goals, with a specific focus on malaria.

Malaria No More is helping to activate these youth leaders to advance faith-based, grassroots work around malaria control.  Fellows will travel to Africa to work in-the-field and learn about fighting malaria on the front lines, then return to their home countries to raise awareness and effect real and lasting change.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

Interfaith collaboration is vital to success in the fight against malaria…be a part of the teamp! Learn more and apply online here—but hurry! Applications are due Thursday, January 15th.

The 2008 Presidential Election was all about change—and the Case Foundation is working to make sure that the spirit of change for the public good lives on in 2009.

As part of their new Change Begins with Me campaign, the Case Foundation is offering the chance to attend the Presidential Inauguration on January 20th to citizens who commit to bringing real change to their neighborhoods, communities or country.  Entrants simply submit their “Change Begins with Me” ideas for helping others and are eligible to win:

• two tickets to the Inaugural Ceremony & the Hawaii Inaugural Ball
• three-nights hotel stay
• airfare for you and a guest to the Nation’s Capitol
• a Flip video camera

So what are you waiting for? There are 4 days left to enter—get thinking about how change begins with YOU!

See website for official contest rules.

A week ago, Malaria Foundation International announced its picks for the 2008 End Malaria Awards, which recognize noteworthy efforts and achievements in the fight against malaria in 2007.

Malaria No More is honored to have been named the “Roll Back Malaria Partnership Advocate of the Year”, for engaging the public and private sector and raising funds for the fight against malaria in our first year as an organization.

We were also thrilled to see that Melinda Doolittle was named “Singer of the Year” for her efforts to raise awareness about malaria with Malaria No More and through a trip to Zambia with First Lady Laura Bush in 2007.  Melinda has been a strong supporter of Malaria No More ever since.

Also recognized as “Performance of the Year” was American Idol Gives Back, the charity special that raised over $17 million for malaria in 2007 and helped millions of Americans learn what they could do to help end malaria deaths.

Many thanks to our partners at MFI for this wonderful award!

Anna LaVenture saved the world this summer.

Okay, maybe not the whole world. But for a number of lucky families in Africa, she may as well have. Anna is the winner of Malaria No More’s Save the World Summer campaign, encouraging kids in the U.S. to raise awareness and funds to fight malaria in Africa.

Anna made a YouTube video, talked with friends and family, and even set up an information booth at her local grocery store to encourage shoppers to donate.  Anna raised enough funds to protect 178 children from the deadly bite of a malaria mosquito, proving that every kid can use their summer vacation to help save the world. By winning our contest, Anna and her mom will be attending the American Idol finale for the 2009 season!

Many thanks to Anna from her biggest fans at Malaria No More! We’re sure that she’ll inspire kids across the country to make a difference in the fight against malaria!