| American Idol's inaugural and star-studded | | | | Due to the show's success, over $9 million was |
| fundraiser termed, "Idol Gives Back" debuted in | | | | raised for Malaria No More and $8 million for other |
| April 2007 and raised over $76 million dollars. The | | | | malaria-related causes. Aside from the monetary |
| special's goal was to raise money for | | | | gain, Malaria No More was able to convey their |
| impoverished communities throughout Africa and | | | | important message to 60 million viewers and |
| the United States, including those who were | | | | educate them on the topic of malaria and what |
| affected by Hurricane Katrina. All ticket proceeds | | | | they can do to help. With the precious donations, |
| were donated to the fund. | | | | this organization provided mosquito nets and other |
| Viewers were encouraged to make donations via | | | | critical resources to over a million mothers and |
| the internet and toll-free telephone lines. Sponsors | | | | children in Angola, Mali, Madagascar, Uganda and |
| of the show, such as AT&T and Coca-Cola, | | | | Zambia. |
| donated money to the Charity Projects | | | | Idol Gives Back Again |
| Entertainment Fund, which in turn distributed the | | | | Malaria No More was a recipient once again for |
| monies to various charities throughout Africa and | | | | American Idol's second installment of "Idol Gives |
| the United States. One of these charities was | | | | Back" held in late April of 2008. The special, more |
| Malaria No More, an organization that provides | | | | ambitious than ever, showed snippets of the trips |
| mosquito nets and other essential resources to | | | | to Africa taken by past Idol finalists Elliot Yamin, |
| aid in the prevention of malaria. | | | | Melinda Doolittle and Idol's 2008 winner, Jordin |
| Mosquito Nets for Malaria No More | | | | Sparks. The former Idols were shocked to the |
| The charitable organization, Malaria No More, was | | | | point of incredulity when they realized how |
| a recipient of a portion of the funds raised by | | | | something as simple as mosquito nets could |
| "Idol Gives Back." This particular charity's goal is to | | | | significantly aid in the country's ongoing battle |
| promote awareness of malaria in Africa, in both | | | | against malaria. |
| the public and private sectors, and to help those | | | | Former Idol Continues the Cause |
| communities obtain resources, such as mosquito | | | | Recently, former Idol contestant Brooke White |
| nets, to prevent the spread of mosquito-related | | | | teamed up with the Malaria No More people to |
| illnesses. | | | | launch the "Save the World Summer" campaign. |
| Malaria is transmitted through a bite from an | | | | The campaign urges students to raise funds for |
| infected mosquito. Africa is home to the most | | | | charity during their summer vacation. Although |
| efficient species of mosquito that propagates the | | | | they do not have to donate their funds to Malaria |
| illness. Although malaria is preventable and | | | | No More and may choose any charitable |
| treatable, it still continues to account for over 1 | | | | organization they deem worthy, Malaria No More |
| million deaths a year in Africa, many of those | | | | provides an incentive - the person who raises the |
| being children. Malaria is estimated to cost Africa | | | | most money for mosquito nets will be rewarded |
| more than $12 billion US annually. It could be | | | | with two tickets to next season's American Idol |
| controlled for a fraction of that amount. | | | | finale. |