Sleep Out to End Malaria

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2010

Sleep Out to End Malaria

Nashville: The United Methodist Church will mark this World Malaria Day, April 25, with a call to local churches to "Sleep Out to End Malaria" on the weekend of April 24-25. The sleep out events in which individuals sleep overnight under imitation bed nets coincide with the denomination's official launch of Imagine No Malaria, an initiative that seeks to raise $75 million to eliminate death and suffering from malaria in Africa by 2015.

"The United Methodist Church is committed to being a key player in the global movement to eliminate the worst effects of this deadly disease," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. "This event is a unique way to raise awareness and build unity around the idea that we can make a sweeping difference on the African continent."

The United Methodist Church is encouraging local churches to participate in the Sleep Out to End Malaria as part of a unified action for World Malaria Day in partnership with the United Nations Foundation and the global malaria community.

Sleep outs provide a great teaching opportunity for youth and help them to connect to families in Africa. Directions for holding a sleep out are available online at www.ImagineNoMalaria.org. Included are instructions for making bed nets, ideas for using the event as a malaria fundraiser, worship resources, and more.

"Sleep Out to End Malaria" events are among the many service and awareness-building events planned by United Methodist churches worldwide during The United Methodist Church's first-ever Rethink Church Change the World event, April 24-25. Churches can register their event on a global map of Change the World events at www.rethinkchurch.org/changetheworld.

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About Imagine No Malaria
Imagine No Malaria is an extraordinary ministry of the people of The United Methodist Church to eliminate death and suffering from malaria in Africa by 2015. With a goal of raising $75 million to improve health infrastructure and empower a sustainable victory over the disease, Imagine No Malaria is our opportunity to rethink how we reach beyond our church, opening doors to those who need it most. For more information, please visit us online at www.ImagineNoMalaria.org.

Media Contact: Diane Degnan
(615) 742-5406 (office)
(615) 483-1765 (cell) [email protected]