Preventing malaria

Alex Carter, anti-malaria campaigner, fell ill with malaria whilst on a rural village camp up in Northern Ghana. This is his story: “At the worst stage of having malaria, it does actually feel like you might die. Whilst I was in hospital I was unconscious for about seven or eight hours. Just before I slipped into unconsciousness, a young boy came in, probably about six or seven years old, with his family and I noticed that he had malaria as well. When I became conscious again I was told that this boy had died. He was unable to get the malaria treatment necessary, not because he was too late, but because tragically his family didn't have the funds to pay for this treatment.”

“My treatment cost me the equivalent of about seven or eight pounds for four days stay in hospital.”

Malaria facts

Malaria affects half of the world's population. Every year over three quarters of a million people die from malaria. Over 90% of these deaths are in Africa.

Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease. Every life lost is needless.

Which countries have a high-risk of malaria?

Malaria is found mostly in the world’s tropical regions¹, including:

Raising money for malaria prevention and malaria treatment

Alex is planning to raise money for malaria treatment and prevention by cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End, which is approximately 900 miles. Followed by a 421 mile run from Land's End to Loughborough. Finally he will swim the equivalent distance of the Channel in Loughborough swimming pool.

Sponsor Alex at www.justgiving.com/victoryovermalaria or text 'Mala89' and the amount you wish to donate to 70070

A £5 donation to Malaria No More UK is enough to buy, hang and deliver a mosquito net to a family in Africa that will protect two people – Usually a mother and her child.

Support Malaria No More in the fight against malaria

Reference:
1. NHS Choices – Malaria. Date: 05.03.2011. Website: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malaria/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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