Malaria No More unwraps one-month lollipop social media campaign to save lives
April 25th, 2014, New York, NY- With the ambitious goal of raising one million malaria tests and treatments for children in Zambia, Malaria No More debuts its latest campaign, dubbed MalariaSUCKS, on April 25, World Malaria Day 2014.
MalariaSUCKS uses the icon of an orange lollipop to symbolize what children are missing out on due to malaria – their childhoods. As part of MNM’s Power of One initiative, every dollar donated at www.MalariaNoMore.org/MalariaSUCKS buys and delivers a life-saving test and treatment for a child in Africa, where most malaria deaths happen. Launched in September 2013, Power of One set the goal of delivering three million child treatments in Zambia, and has already raised enough money to provide two million treatments and one million tests.
“MalariaSUCKS is a fun, tangible way for supporters to connect to an issue that may seem distant from their everyday lives,” said Malaria No More CEO Martin Edlund. “We’re putting our supporters in the spotlight – asking them to help us create real change through an everyday activity like posting a selfie and spreading a powerful humanitarian message through their social networks. It’s our pink ribbon, only sweeter.”
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. The 2013 World Health Organization Malaria Report estimates that nearly 630,000 people die of malaria annually. Through an expanded global effort to combat the disease, tremendous progress has been made – with a 54% decrease in the rate of child malaria deaths since 2000 in Africa, where 90% of malaria deaths occur. Despite progress, malaria still kills a child every minute.
MNM is asking supporters to make a donation, then snap selfies incorporating a lollipop to be used as profile photos and to share with their friends, followers and fans on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Several celebrities will be taking part by posting their lollipop selfies, including Mýa, James Van Der Beek and Cortney and Robert Novogratz. Lollipops can also be added to photos digitally through a tool on the campaign’s website. The website will also be home to the Lollipop Sessions, an intimate video series featuring the personal stories of African artists, leaders and musicians who have survived malaria or been personally impacted by the disease.
Malaria No More is a New York-based nonprofit focused on fighting malaria deaths by engaging leaders, rallying the public and delivering life-saving tools and education to families across Africa. MalariaSUCKS is a collaboration between MNM and its pro bono advertising agency partner, Havas Worldwide.
Power of One is an ongoing campaign led by MNM and supported by some of the world’s most innovative companies, including 21st Century Fox, Time Warner, Facebook, Twitter and Venmo.
