Send a Net. Save a Life. See a Game.

United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
810 12th Avenue S.
Nashville, TN 37203
www.umcpresscenter.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2009

Send a Net. Save a Life. See a Game.

Nashville: From now through January 31, 2010, Nothing But Nets supporters can donate $10 or more and get two complimentary tickets to an NBA game, subject to availability and participating teams.

Monday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets tipped off the promotion -- Send a Net. Save a Life. See a Game. presented by HP -- to send anti-malaria bed nets to refugees in 11 African countries. The effort is part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving. Send a Net. Save a Life. See a Game. encourages NBA fans and Nothing But Nets supporters to send life-saving bed nets to displaced families in Africa to help protect them from malaria, the number one killer of refugees on the continent.

ESPN sportswriter Rick Reilly, who inspired the United Nations Foundation to create the Nothing But Nets campaign through his May 2006 Sports Illustrated column, will match fan donations -- net for net -- up to a total of $25,000.

"This tremendous effort aligns with the NBA's long tradition of addressing important health and wellness issues worldwide," said NBA Executive Vice President Social Responsibility and Player Programs Kathy Behrens. "We know our fans care about these causes as passionately as the NBA, and we are proud to provide them the opportunity to make a life-saving donation as part of the NBA Cares Season of Giving."

Long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets are one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods of preventing the disease's spread. They create a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of malaria transmissions occur. One bed net can protect a family of four, and lasts three to five years. It costs just $10 to purchase, deliver, and educate the recipient on its proper use.

To date, Nothing But Nets has raised close to $30 million and has sent nearly three million nets to children, pregnant women, and refugees throughout Africa. Clickhere to send a net, save a life, and see a game. To help us meet our giving goals, please be sure to designate yourself as a United Methodist when making a Nothing But Nets gift online (under NBN how did you hear?)

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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, hundreds 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.

Media Contact: Diane Degnan
(615) 742-5406 (office)
[email protected]