As players and fans across the globe experience the thrill of victory and agony of defeat during the World Cup in South Africa this summer, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español are helping families across Africa celebrate a major win against malaria.
Launched in August 2008, the "Every Goal Saves a Life" campaign provided a $10 mosquito net for every goal scored in a live broadcast on either network. In total, the program has raised $42,000-enough to protect over 8,000 children from the deadly bite of a malarial mosquito. In addition to raising funds for life-saving nets, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español have emerged as major players in the effort to raise awareness about the disease and its solutions, airing educational pieces and PSAs to encourage their audiences to join in the global race to end malaria deaths.
"As we're seeing in this year's World Cup, soccer is so much more than a game-it has the power to bring the world together," said David Nathanson, General Manager of Fox Soccer Channel. "The 'Every Goal Saves a Life' campaign shows that each goal on the field can count toward a much larger goal: ending malaria deaths in Africa by 2015."
Last year, the two Fox networks teamed up with world-renowned FC Barcelona to distribute 1500 mosquito nets raised by the "Every Goal Saves a Life" program to children in Mali and Senegal through the FC Barcelona Foundation's XICS Centers. Malaria kills a child in Africa every 40 seconds-yet the disease is entirely preventable and treatable.
In addition to their net contribution, Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español are key members of the United Against Malaria campaign, which unites soccer stars, governments, non-profits, corporations and individuals to highlight Africa's fight against malaria during the first World Cup in Africa. As a leading media partner in the campaign, Fox has highlighted the efforts of the campaign and of campaign spokesman and U.S. team captain, Landon Donovan, in PSAs and on-air interviews.
Learn more about the "Every Goal Saves a Life" program here and United Against Malaria here.
About Malaria No More
Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa-and we're helping the world get it done. Malaria No More leverages high-impact communications to engage the world, global advocacy to rally leadership and strategic investments to accelerate progress. www.MalariaNoMore.org.
