Some SHOCKING fast facts about malaria

Among the top killers of children is malaria. Malaria is a deadly parasite borne by mosquitoes and in some parts of the world it is astoundingly common. In equatorial Africa, for example, the disease has far-reaching impacts, depressing economies as it sickens and kills. Here are some facts about Malaria you may not yet know.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Malaria is a major killer, at least one child per minute dies of malaria, somewhere in the world.

Malaria is not just an African disease, but can be found in all the world's equatorial regions. Even in the United States, malaria cases have reached a 40-year high. About half of the world's population is at risk of contracting malaria. Most of those potential victims are children and pregnant women who are most susceptible to the disease.

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Malaria prevents children from attending school because of its debilitating impacts. About half of the children who miss school in Africa do so because they are suffering from malarial infection. Missing school means losing an educational opportunity and catching up can be difficult following a bout of malaria.

Education is critical in Africa for without it, children are condemned to a life of poverty. In addition to sickness, malaria can also cause permanent mental disabilities.

Other problems include billions of lost productivity. Estimates costs Africa about $12 billion or more per year. National economies in Africa are much smaller than in other parts of the developed world, meaning these impacts are widely felt, even by people who do not contract malaria.

The good news is that malaria can be fought and defeated, often for very little money. For as little as a few dollars, you can prevent the death of a child. The BUY A DOSE, GIVE A DOSE program from Your Catholic Voice Foundation allow you to make a tax deductible contribution to fight malaria for as little as $3. YCVF has also pledged to match every dose of medicine sent to patients, effectively doubling the power of your kindness.

Malaria is on the retreat and doctors are getting better at fighting back, but more needs to be done. The world faces a shortfall in anti-malaria funding of almost $4 billion per year. That's a lot of lives that aren't being saved for want of funding.

Will you help us close this gap? Don't be discouraged if your contribution is small. Great things often have small beginnings. Great things start with you.

Join us in 'Prayer and Action' today!

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