Challenge encourages the public to record sports and trick shot videos, donate to end malaria for good
(Washington, D.C. – April 25, 2016) Leaders of Malaria No More and the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, Martin Edlund and Chris Helfrich, provided the following statement today about a new public awareness challenge called “Call Your Shot”:
“This weekend, the best shooter in basketball called his shot – to beat malaria. One of the most quintessential icons in sports today is inspired about saving lives, and we hope you will be too.
“Curry posted a video on social media calling and making a trick shot. In the video and his social media posts, he called out Warriors fans (Dub Nation), his brother Seth Curry, hip hop artist Lecrae, broadcaster and retired basketball player Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal to call their shots. He’s also donating to help us protect children and families from malaria, a disease which claims the life of child every two minutes. This is a preventable disease, and Curry knows everyone can help us save a life.
“The Call Your Shot challenge is supported by the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, Malaria No More, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as well as countless champions and partners across the public and private sectors.
“The goal of Call Your Shot is simple: raise awareness and funds to send nets and save lives. The challenge is simple, too. Participants film themselves making a fun or creative shot – in any sport. They challenge their friends, upload their videos using the hashtag #CallYourShot, and donate to support nets and other anti-malaria efforts at CallYourShot.org.
“The challenge comes at a pivotal moment in the fight to beat malaria. We are making tremendous progress fighting the disease. Thanks to strong leaders and everyday champions, the world has cut malaria deaths in half since 2000. In that time, investments in malaria have saved 6.2 million lives, increased attendance at school, improved worker productivity, and boosted local economies.
“The United States has been a global leader in the fight. In 2005, President George W. Bush created the President’s Malaria Initiative. President Barack Obama has embraced and expanded the effort. The U.S. has also been the largest contributor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Bipartisan leadership from the House and Senate has been critical to the success.
“Despite the outstanding progress, a child is still dying every two minutes. That’s unacceptable. In his final State of the Union speech, President Obama called on the world to end malaria.
“There was a time when ending this ancient disease seemed impossible. Not anymore. We’re in the fourth quarter of this fight.
“Today on World Malaria Day, through the NBA playoffs and beyond, join with athletes, celebrities, organizations, companies, and everyday champions in the challenge to beat malaria.
“Every contribution counts. If we work together, we can be the generation to do something record-breaking: end malaria for good.”
For more information, visit CallYourShot.org.
