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.

“Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria. Nets save lives. Support World Malaria Day”

Thanks to a certain super-twitter (Ashton Kutcher), this “tweet” reverberated in the online twitter community and raised tons of awareness for World Malaria Day and the life-saving potential of insecticide-treated bed nets. (Follow Malaria No More at www.twitter.com/MalariaNoMore)

Speaking of good-hearted celebs, Madonna has been promoting her organization’s documentary film, I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, that portrays the extraordinary challenges faced by Malawian children every day. The film will be featured on hulu.com for six weeks, so be sure to check it out. Malaria No More is featured on the website as a partner in helping Malawian orphans have an opportunity to overcome their overwhelming circumstances.

A little birdie also tells me that American Idol star Brooke White is such an active supporter of Malaria No More…that she even got her mom into it! Brooke’s mom suggested a charitable spin on Casual Fridays at the office—her colleagues were invited to wear jeans in return for a small donation to Malaria No More. That’s some creative fundraising!

Talk about using star power!!