Madness For Malaria

When I talked earlier about starting a “run” to raise money for mosquito nets to help prevent Malaria, I did not explain what a serious disease Malaria is and how many lives it takes. “… nearly 3,000 kids die every day in Africa from malaria. And according to the World Health Organization, transmission of the disease would be reduced by 60% with the use of mosquito nets and prompt treatment for the infected.”(Sports Illustrated 5/1/2006, Vol. 104 Issue 18, p78). The number of kids dying every day in Africa is the equivalant of 10 times population of the LREI lower school and middle school combined. You also might wonder what malaria is.”Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted from one human to another by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.” (The NEW YORK TIMES http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/malaria/overview.html?8qa&scp=1-spot&sq=malaria&st=nyt). Malaria attacks the red blood cells causing the chills, muscle cramps, sweating, convulsions, vomiting, and in some cases a coma. If the disease is not treated the victim may die. Some people native to malaria stricken places have developed an immunity to the disease, but visitors must take extreme precautions to defend themselves, such as wearing protective clothing, using repellant, and even taking anti-malaria drugs.