Nothing But Nets

ExxonMobil and Dallas Maverick’s DeSagana Diop Announce Commitment to Nothing But Nets to Prevent Malaria in Africa

At a Malaria Workshop for 100 students at Travis Middle School today, the United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign announced Dallas Mavericks center and native of Senegal, DeSagana Diop will donate $100 to Nothing But Nets for every shot he blocks during the 2008 season. ExxonMobil will match Diop's donation for a total of $200 or 20 nets per shot blocked by Diop. Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to prevent malaria in Africa by providing long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets.

"Because of my heritage, this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart," said DeSagana Diop. "I believe we can really make a difference in the fight against malaria, and I am excited to do my part to help."

"With a workforce in Africa that numbers in the thousands, and as one of the largest direct foreign investors in the continent, ExxonMobil has witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of malaria," said Gerald McElvy, president of ExxonMobil Foundation. "We are a proud partner of Nothing But Nets and are pleased to be a part of a campaign that will protect children and their families from malaria."

"Nothing But Nets makes it possible for concerned individuals from students, to government leaders, to athletes, to CEOs to get involved in the global fight against malaria by providing a simple way to send a net, and save a life," said Dallas City Councilmember, Angela Hunt. "In an effort to raise awareness about the threat of malaria, Mayor Tom Leppert and the Dallas City Council declared February 4-10, 2008, Nothing But Nets week. By working together as a community in Dallas, we can make a difference in communities in Africa."

From February 5-7, 2008, Nothing But Nets is hosting a series of events in Dallas as part of its national effort to raise awareness about the devastating effects of malaria, a disease that kills one million people each year, the vast majority of whom are children. The UN Foundation, ExxonMobil, the Dallas Mavericks, The North Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and FC Dallas, are co-hosting several events which include: the Malaria Workshop for 100 youth at Travis Middle School; a faith leaders’ luncheon for area faith and lay leaders; and a Nothing But Nets in-arena night with the Dallas Mavericks. This is one of many in-arena events taking place as part of Nothing But Nets’ partnership with NBA Cares.

To learn more about the events in Dallas, visit www.NothingButNets.net/Dallas. For more information about the Campaign and future city stops, visit www.NothingButNets.net.

About Nothing But Nets
Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly, tens of thousands of people have joined the Campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The People of the United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.

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Press Contacts:
Amy DiElsi
United Nations Foundation
(o) 202.419.3230, (e) adielsi@unfoundation.org