The Nothing But Nets Campaign

Treasurer Dennis Scheer and Bishop Kammerer take up spontaneous collection during the 2007 conference session for Nothing But Nets.

In the 30 seconds it will take you to read this description, somewhere in Africa a child will die from malaria. Malaria, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, can infect humans causing a flu-like illness that can result in coma and death. Malaria infects nearly 500 million people each year. One person dies about every 30 seconds. Every year, more than a million children die from this disease. Children who survive often experience health complications. Ninety percent of deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa.  

Malaria is a preventable disease. It can be prevented by giving families and individuals insecticide-treated bed nets to sleep under and taking steps to kill mosquitoes where they breed and when they enter houses to feed at night. Malaria has been brought under control and even eliminated in many parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Yet in Africa, with increasing drug resistance and struggling health systems, malaria infections have actually increased during the last three decades. 

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria. The people of The United Methodist Church, along with Sports Illustrated, NBA Cares, the United Nations Foundation and several other groups, are raising funds to purchase bed nets to end malaria. You can join the cause and contribute money for bed nets that will keep children and families safe. A $10 donation goes directly toward the purchase, distribution, and education about the proper use of an insecticide-treated bed net, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match each donation, net for net. 

The now-famous basketball that started the 'bidding war' is being housed at the Virginia United Methodist Conference Center in Glen Allen.

By answering Jesus' call to "minister to the least of these who are members of our family," we can beat this disease and save future generations. So give a child the opportunity to be healthy. Pray. Communicate the need. Buy a bed net. And save a life. Your donations can be sent to the Virginia United Methodist Conference, designated for the Nothing But Nets (Advance #982015) campaign. 

For additional information, promotional materials, worship suggestions, and other materials for Nothing But Nets, follow the links to the left of this page.