American Idol announced today that it will host the third-ever “Idol Gives Back” charity special on April 21, 2010 — and Malaria No More has been chosen as a beneficiary!!!

“Idol Gives Back” has raised millions of dollars to help fight malaria and shown millions of Idol fans across the country that every individual can be a hero in the fight against malaria.

Thanks to Idol and the generous sponsorship of ExxonMobil, we have distributed mosquito nets in Uganda, Zambia, Angola, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and strengthened our programs in Africa to save lives.

We have traveled to Africa with Idol alums Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle and worked with Elliott Yamin and Brooke White to help raise awareness.

We’re looking forward to another great “Idol Gives Back” in 2010!

Malaria No More has learned that Carrie Underwood is going to appear on American Idol tonight to report back on some of the incredible work we’ve been able to do in Angola thanks to Idol Gives Back and millions of generous American Idol fans across the country!

Carrie traveled to Angola with American Idol corporate sponsor (and MNM partner!) ExxonMobil, the largest non-pharmaceutical corporate donor to the fight against malaria. Carrie is showing how Idol fans are helping families across Africa protect themselves with long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets. The world is winning the battle to end malaria deaths—and Idol fans are a vital part of the team.

Thanks to Idol Gives Back funds, 287,000 bed nets were distributed by Malaria No More to protect children and pregnant mothers from malaria in 2008.

Check out videos from Exxon’s trip to Angola with Idol alums Elliott Yamin and Fantasia too!

Also, see what Malaria No More is up to with American Idols Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle and Brooke White.

Two daughters in Norton, Massachusetts are making one Mom very proud. Inspired by her strength and courage in the face of cancer, Jameson and Shawna O’Handley have spent the past several weeks raising funds, cent by cent, to buy mosquito nets for children in Africa.

As part of their family’s vow to practice acts of kindness every day, the girls incorporated National Geographic’s “Be A Star, Save A Life” program with Jordin Sparks into their daily activities. So far, they have raised $1000 for nets—and helped countless friends and neighbors learn how they could help save a life with a simple $10 net.

Erin O’Handley is hoping to pass along to her children the importance of kindness and consideration for others. Jameson and Shawna have made a huge difference…and provided nets to protect more than 200 children from a deadly disease.

Jameson, Shawna and Erin: Many thanks for this and each and every one of your acts of kindness.

Read the O’Handley’s full story in The Sun Chronicle (MA) here.