June 17, 2010 –  The presentation, “Transforming the World, One Village at a Time: Malaria Prevention and Community Health”, will take place in the Palais de congres, Room 516AB, on  Monday June 21st, at 1:45 p.m. 

Led by Dr. Martin Nkundeki, Rotarian, District 9200, and Board Member, Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group, the results of a recent project between Kololo Rotary Club, District 9200, and Cataraqui Kingston Rotary Club, District 7040, with Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group as the implementing partner, will be presented.

Panelists Senator Mobina Jaffer, Co-Chair, Parliamentary Malaria Caucus, Chris Rosene, Director, International Development, Canadian Red Cross, and Dr. Sam Zaramba, Director General, Ugandan Ministry of Health, will share the progress being made in malaria control today, as well as the challenges ahead.   

“It is my hope that the presentation will demonstrate and strengthen the leadership that Rotarians have in malaria prevention and control efforts,” said Dr. Nkundeki.  “I wish more Rotarians to become educated, inspired and engaged to stop this killer disease.”

The partnership and project results will also be featured with a display booth in the House of Friendship during Convention.

“We are very pleased to have been invited to the 2010 Rotary Convention.  There is hope in stopping this killer disease that puts 50 million pregnant women at risk each year, and takes a child’s life every 30 seconds.  I am very proud of the effort that individual Rotarians are making to improve health through the fight against malaria.  The partnership with Rotary is saving lives,” said Debra Lefebvre, Executive Director, Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group.   

Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

Launched in 2004, Buy-a-Net Malaria Prevention Group (www.buyanet.ca) is Canada’s first citizen-driven, registered charitable organization that seeks to prevent deaths from malaria.  The campaign, whose slogan – “7 BUCKS, BUY-A-NET, SAVE A LIFE” – provides advocacy and awareness about malaria, and raises funds needed for the procurement of long lasting insecticide treated bed nets and drug therapies.  In partnership with community-based groups, the nets and medicines are distributed one village at a time, free-of-charge. 

-30-

Contact:  Debra Lefebvre, RN, MPA Buy-A-Net Malaria Prevention Group www.buyanet.ca
     +1(613) 539-2945
+1(613) 542-1264 (B) 
E-Mail:  debra@buyanet.ca

Rod Roy Ski & Snowboard School in Pierrefonds, Quebec raised $1,108.00 by challenging it members.

Jubilee Elementary School in Pointe Claire, Québec used the fundraising activities to expand their students knowledge of the world. They wanted to help others in need in a concrete way and were excited to be able to net close to 3 villages.  The grade 6 students with the help of the Jubilee community amassed $987.60.

The grade 6 teacher Mr. Mark Jalbert has pledged that the school will make this fundraiser an annual event.. Jubilee Elementary is the first elementary school in Quebec to help raise money for Buy-A-Net.
The photo is taken at Jubilee school at an assembly. The students talked about Malaria and presented Melodie and Michelina with their check. They in return received a plaque to display in their school.

“I was deeply touched by your speech, and very impressed with the actions undertaken by your organization to fight Malaria in Uganda,” states Mr. R. Bomba, AVP, The United Health Care Professionals of Montreal, QC.  Mr. Bomba personally netted a village with a $350.00 gift!