Nothing But Nets

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng promote Nothing But Nets, a global campaign encouraging sports fans to help stop the spread of malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa.

Quinn and Deng launched a "boot camp" at the United Center to educate Chicago youth about how they can support the life-saving Nothing But Nets campaign and raise money to send insecticide-treated mosquito nets to Africa.

"A $10 donation can send a treated bed net to Africa and protect a child from the mosquito bites that spread this deadly disease," Quinn said. "Every 30 seconds, the plague of malaria claims the life of another African child. I hope the Land of Lincoln will field a championship team of malaria fighters who will donate as much as they can afford to Nothing But Nets to help save children's lives."

Nothing But Nets was inspired by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, who in 2006 challenged every American sports fan to donate at least $10 to buy and ship a mosquito net and save the life of an African child. The organization now works in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, the National Basketball Association's NBA Care, Sports Illustrated and thousands of concerned supporters worldwide to send treated nets to Africa and educate families about their use.

Quinn commended Deng, who was born in Sudan, for his commitment to the Nothing But Nets campaign. "Luol Deng's character earned him the NBA's sportsmanship award, an honor bestowed by his peers on the player who best exemplifies ethical behavior, fair play and integrity on the court," Quinn said. "Today, he's proving be deserves that honor by offering his support to this worthy cause."

To lean more about Nothing But Nets or to make a contribution, please visit www.nothingbutnets.net.