Denver, CO-Churches across Denver are coming together today to launch a new effort to help end deaths from one of the most dreaded and widespread ailments on the planet-malaria-and to join the larger fight against extreme poverty around the world.

Today, on “World Malaria Day,” churches and congregations will launch the Ten Thousand Nets campaign, a Denver-based effort designed to raise awareness and raise funds for anti-malaria bed nets in Africa. In addition, churches at their respective Sunday services will be participating with the global anti-poverty organization ONE to take action in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease through its “ONE Sabbath” advocacy program.

“We have joined the fight against malaria because we believe it is maddening that more than 900,000 people die every year from a completely curable disease,” said Pastor Michael Hidalgo, Lead Pastor at the Denver Community Church and longtime ONE member who is spearheading the Ten Thousand Nets campaign. “Several other communities of faith in Denver have felt the same way. Together we decided to launch the Ten Thousand Nets Campaign. Our partnership with ONE and Malaria No More has only strengthened our fight against malaria as they bring expertise, knowledge, passion, and, with the ONE Sabbath effort, a deep faith element that we believe is essential to any campaign for social change.”

The goal of the Ten Thousand Nets campaign is to energize Denver’s faith and larger community to learn about malaria, take action and ultimately support 10,000 bed nets for distribution and use in Africa. The campaign welcomes all to get involved-from Girl Scout troops to local high schools to college campuses to Denver’s business community.

In addition to the Ten Thousand Nets launch, Denver’s church community this Sunday will also be involved in advocacy efforts against extreme poverty and preventable disease through the grassroots organization ONE.  Churches will participate in ONE’s national faith program, ONE Sabbath, which gives congregations opportunities to respond to global challenges like malaria, AIDS, lack of clean water and children out of school through effective grassroots political advocacy and education.

A wide swath of Denver’s church community are behind the ONE Sabbath and Ten Thousand Nets efforts today, including: Denver Community Church, The Next Level Church, Bloom Church, Highlands Church, The Bridge Church, Pathways Church (Wash Park), Greenwood Community Church, Faith Bible Chapel, Bethany Lutheran Church and City Presbyterian Church.

“A good friend of mine often said, ‘You can’t do everything. You can do something. What is the something God is calling you to do?,'” said Pastor Jared Mackey, Pastor at The Next Level Church in Denver participating in the campaign. “I have come to believe that being aware of the issues on the continent of Africa is just the beginning. When we care, we begin to discover what God is calling us to do. ONE and Ten Thousands Nets are opportunities to take the next step in responding to this call.”

Beyond this Sunday, the Ten Thousand Nets campaign is planning several events and ways for the Denver community to get involved in the coming months, including film screenings and watch parties around the 2010 World Cup taking place in South Africa. The campaign also aims to further connect the Denver community to its partners ONE, Malaria No More and The Church in Denver. You can learn more at www.tenthousandnets.org.

Notes for editors:

About ONE

ONE is a global advocacy and campaigning organization backed by more than 2 million people from around the world dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. For more information please visit www.ONE.org.

About Malaria

Malaria is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The parasite carried by the mosquito enters the bloodstream and causes fever, headaches and other flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, the infection in its most severe forms can lead to a coma and death.

Malaria disproportionately affects the poor, particularly children and pregnant women on the African continent who are more likely to be exposed to infection and have the most limited access to malaria prevention, treatment, and control measures.  Malaria kills a child every 30 seconds and overall nearly one million people each year.  In addition to the death toll, malaria contributes to the cycle of poverty and limits economic development. Malaria illness and death cost Africa at least $12 billion in lost productivity every year.

One of the most effective tools in combating malaria are insecticide-treated bed nets that protect from mosquitoes. For $10, an insecticide-treated bed net can be purchased, distributed and its recipients can be trained and educated on how to use it effectively. One bed net can last 3 to 5 years, which means for less than a penny per day, a child can be protected from this deadly disease.