First Annual Hedge Funds vs. Malaria Leadership Conference

New York, N.Y. - The Hedge Fund community is proud to announce that over two hundred people attended the first annual Hedge Funds vs. Malaria Leadership Conference. The four hour conference brought together a distinguished group of business, medical, and theological leaders to present their insights on Africa, business, leadership and malaria. These speakers were hosted and introduced by leaders of the hedge fund community. The conference, which took place Tuesday September 20, 2005 at the New York Marriott Marquis Astor Ballroom, was the first significant fundraiser for malaria to be held for the exclusive benefit of a malaria charity in the United States. Between one million and three million children worldwide die from malaria each year (more than aids and cancer combined) even though malaria is a completely preventable disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria is also the worst killer of mothers on the planet.

Over $200,000 was raised at this event. These funds will be utilized
To establish Malaria Free Zones (MFZs) throughout Africa.

The goals of the organizers of the Hedge Funds vs. Malaria Conference were to (1) raise awareness of malaria in the business and investment communities (2) raise funds for the establishment of Malaria Free Zones (MFZs) through the Free Africa Foundation and (3) organize a volunteer force to help all malaria related charities worldwide.

Malaria, earth’s largest killer ever, is the worst positioned and marketed disease in world history. Over 95% of the people surveyed about malaria were unaware that millions of children are dying from malaria. There is no malaria lobby in Washington. There is no organized malaria PR effort. There are few relevant charitable efforts focused exclusively on malaria. There are few malaria education efforts in the United States. Governmental spending on malaria control initiatives worldwide are difficult to audit. These problems are exacerbated by the fact that malaria is normally subsumed under the overall banner of world poverty and aids. Malaria needs to stand out on its own. We believe that only by making malaria an independent cause can it be eradicated.

The purpose of creating Malaria Free Zones (MFZs) is to demonstrate a cost-effective, efficiently run model which can eradicate malaria and be replicated in other parts of Africa. Each MFZ will benefit from the best three lines of defense in the fight against malaria – bednets, medication and sprays. The Total Projected Direct Cost to protect a village of 900 people is approximately $8,000.

Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help lead the effort to raise awareness of the malaria emergency that is currently taking place in Africa. (it is estimated that 90% of malaria deaths worldwide occur in Africa. It is also estimated that 90% of malaria deaths occur in children under the age of five). We are encouraging everyone, who is interested in volunteering to help, to contact us at vs.malaria@gmail.com .


At the end of the conference the organizers of the event announced plans to team up with the Malaria Foundation International to launch a corporate conference during December in Atlanta. One of the goals of the conference will be to involve large U.S. corporations in the logistical planning of the fight against malaria.


For more information contact us at vs.malaria@gmail.com


Contact: Lance Laifer
Email: vs.malaria@gmail.com