Madness Against Malaria “Final Four” Teams Compete to Fight Malaria

NEW YORK; April 2007 — While the University of Florida is basking in the glory of an NCAA National Championship win, across the globe a group of four teams is involved in a competition of their own – one that is literally saving lives. Madness Against Malaria (MAM), a unique international online fund and awareness-raising initiative, has entered its “Final Four” round, pitting university students, businesses and a not-for-profit organization against each other (see: madnessagainstmalaria.com).

The goal of MAM, which launched in September 2006, is to raise funds and awareness to combat malaria, which despite being fully preventable and curable, kills 1-3 million people each year—70% of whom are children under the age of five.

All of the funds raised through MAM will be used to purchase life-saving long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets (LLINs), which cost just $5 apiece and are extremely effective at preventing malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes. As of April 3, MAM has raised $82,320 to purchase 16, 470 nets.

“It’s impressive to see how much support MAM has received, not just from the 120 teams that joined, but also from friends, families and other concerned individuals,” said hedge fund manager and philanthropist Lance Laifer, who co-founded MAM along with Rob Mather of the World Swim For Malaria Foundation (WSMF). “From the first round to the ‘Final Four,’ I continue to be overwhelmed and excited by the amount of support we’ve received. I wish all of the teams good luck during the final rounds!”

Just as in the NCAA basketball tournament, the winners of the MAM “Final Four” round will move on to the championships, or the “Mad Bowl.” On April 16, the winning team will be determined and awarded the “Malaria Cup.”

The MAM “Final Four” team match-ups are as follows:

• Paltalk Against Malaria, based in NYC, vs. Team USA, sponsored by Dukas Public Relations, an NYC PR firm.

• Beantown Beatdown of de' Squiter, established by the Boston University School of Public Health Rotaract Club vs. Dream Team-His Nets, sponsored by the Oklahoma-based, His Nets, a non-profit that raises money for and distributes insecticide treated mosquito nets in Africa.

To participate in Madness Against Malaria by supporting one of the top four teams, visit www.madnessagainstmalaria.com.