Become a Beat Malaria Champion

How long have you been a champion?

I’ve been a champion since spring of 2017 (5 years).

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

Since I was a child, I have always been interested in infectious diseases, and specifically, those caused by the mosquito. The idea that something as tiny as a mosquito has such a profound impact on humanity and history is fascinating to me.  I advocate for malaria because I refuse to accept that this disease, which is both preventable and curable, continues to be one of the deadliest diseases on the planet.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria. 

I have a few favorite memories – it’s hard to choose among them. One of my most memorable moments was meeting in St. Louis with Congresswoman Ann Wagner, who was involved in the creation of the Presidents Malaria Initiative.  I was only 12 years old, and that was my first experience as a champion and a great introduction to advocacy.  Another of my favorite moments was when I delivered the introduction for Peter Yeo, President of the Better World Organization and Senior VP of the UN Foundation, at Beat Malaria’s Leadership Summit Meeting in 2018.  That was my first Leadership Summit, and I haven’t missed one since.  At my high school, my most memorable advocacy moments were the two (and soon to be three) dress down days that I organized to raise money in support of Beat Malaria and the fight against malaria.  Finally, reuniting on Capitol Hill in 2019 with my previous 2018 Capitol Hill Advocacy Day team (our “Dream Team”) – even just for a photo before we went our separate ways – willalways be a great memory for me!

How long have you been a champion?

I became a champion in 2020.

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

I didn’t originally find malaria important if I am completely honest. We are very privileged to not be affected by malaria for the most part here in the United States.  During my first summit, I learned so much about malaria and the way it ravages communities and bodies.  In speaking with friends about malaria, I also learned how much the military community is affected by the disease in their travels and assignments.  Additionally, shortly after my first summit we were struck the Covid 19 pandemic introduced us to the realities of how quickly disease is spread internationally and how aggressively intentional we have to be to prevent outbreaks or reemergence of diseases once eradicated. This combination of educational events has really led me to be more committed and involved in the fight to end malaria.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

I always enjoy meeting with my representative’s offices and developing relationships and rapport. It was really awesome to see Rep. Austin Scott post information about World Malaria Day after a call we had last year and meant a lot to know that my representative truly listened to what I had to say.  The trip to the summit in DC was obviously also a highlight to be able to meet with representatives in person and explore the Capital.

How long have you been a champion?

About 2 years.

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

Every person, no matter where you live, deserves to live a decent life. It is achievable to end malaria. It’s just that some countries are so exploited by global imperialism that they don’t have the resources. As someone with privileges to sleep without fear of dying of malaria, I would like for other people who are underserved to have this privilege as well.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

Wendy Dimas was so supportive in last year’s congressional meeting. They made sure that I felt confident in talking to the surrogate and gave me feedback afterwards. United to Beat Malaria staff are very compassionate and personable, which makes the advocacy sessions a fun experience. My meetings have always been virtual, and I’ve heard that the Hill has been slowly opening up, so I look forward to visiting the Hill in-person and seeing the big mosquito.

How long have you been a champion?

I have been with Champion since the Fall of 2019

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

I find it hard to live comfortably free from malaria in my country and not care about the thousands of people dying every day from the same preventable disease in other countries. Growing up in poverty gives me empathy for others who have to endure how sad, hard, and difficult it is to lack what you need to survive in daily life.

The loss of my 35-year-old daughter unexpectedly in late 2020 from heart disease has given me a new heartfelt concern to help advocate for eliminating malaria.  Two babies die every five minutes, and my heart empathizes with these parents’ loss.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

Visiting the Capital Building in March of 2020 and meeting with senators’ representatives were memorable moments for me. It was memorable to meet other representatives of United to Beat Malaria from other states and countries as well. It was double-exciting to hear everyone share their personal stories of why it was important to them to advocate for malaria.

How long have you been a champion?

I have been a champion fighting malaria before Nothing But Nets started.  I got involved seriously after the Declaration of Abuja in Nigeria and helped celebrate the first Africa Malaria Day in 2002.  At that time, I was working with other organizations such as Roll Back Malaria raising funds for mosquito nets.  In fact, in 2010 I was given an Award by an organization called the Gathering of African Legacies for that purpose.  But I was recruited officially to NBN after the first summit.  I do not remember the date.

Why is advocating for malaria important to you? 

I have seen people get sick and die from malaria. Being a scientist who has studied parasitology, I know that malaria is preventable and curable and I do not want people die from a preventable disease.  I also would like to be part of the generation which will see malaria eliminated or eradicated.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria. 

I have many memorable moments when I share my passion with member of congress or their staff and I see them interested, the most one though is the time we met Representative Karen Bass.

How long have you been a champion? 

I have been a champion for 5 years

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

#1, Being able to have a voice and a platform to make a difference for families. #2,  Malaria is something we can BEAT in our lifetime, why not now???

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

There are so many! There are several! I would say going to DC for Summits have been the most memorable!  Being able to learn from industry experts about the latest trends, technology, research and preventative measures….especially learning about all of the progress that has been made.  Going to Capitol Hill to advocate has also been very memorable and meaningful.  My Senator recently mentioned that he thought of our meetings when he voted for a bill, so knowing I have a part in changing the lives of others is also memorable and rewarding.  The icing on the cake is meeting new friends from all over the globe!

How long have you been a champion?

6 years

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

As a global citizen, it concerns me that Malaria continues to be a threat to our country and globally both in health and its economic impact. Our lives are as precious as we protect them. There are still no guarantees that anybody could be free from Malaria and its threat can continuously hurt our progress. I believe that sustained investment in health and malaria unlocks the potential of human capital to generate growth.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

Advocating for Malaria gives me a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with members of congress. Meeting a number of them at the Hill always gives me a sense of pride and responsibility to be able to talk on a subject matter seriously and oftentimes with sentiments. It happens a couple of times to me when I couldn’t help but get teary-eyed when discussing with members of congress why Beating Malaria is important for us. Also, being a part of the grassroots movement has allowed me to network with like-minded advocates.

How long have you been a champion?

I have been a champion since 2020.

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

Advocating to beat malaria is important to me because we are so close to being the generation that beats malaria for good! We have seen the advancements over the years that have been made in the fight.  I am grateful to have the opportunity with my role with JCI USA to be a champion for United to Beat Malaria!

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

I have enjoyed advocating for United to Beat Malaria because it is an issue that everyone can get behind regardless of your political party.  It has been a great experience to be able to meet with my US Representatives and discuss the work being done.  They are all very supportive and want to learn more.  In these advocacy sessions, I feel like I am making a difference on an issue that continues to impact many throughout the world.   The most memorable moment from my time was being in Washington DC in March 2020 for the in-person Leadership Summit (right at the start of the pandemic) where we all came together for the cause.

How long have you been a champion?

I have been a champion for 2 years

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

Advocating for malaria is important to me because it helps to ensure the safety of our military as well as helps my local community stay safe. Growing up in Mississippi Malaria is not always at the forefront of our minds but we certainly have our share of mosquitoes and illnesses caused by them.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

I got involved with United to Beat Malaria as part of a partnership that JCI USA has, the program has helped me understand how to better advocate for myself and others. It has been memorable to connect with elected officials and get to discuss such an important cause.

How long have you been a champion?

2019

Why is advocating for malaria important to you? 

A child that passes away due to Malaria is the reason that I keep advocating for this cause. It’s something that I never realized was still an issue in the world until I was the National Vice President at JCI USA over Partnerships and attended my first Summit.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

I cannot narrow this down because both years that I went to The Hill for Summit were life changing. Going to our nation’s capital and experiencing The Hill is something that every American should experience.  Just being able to walk the halls of where we have our elected officials conducting day to day business is an inspiring experience and then meeting with your elected officials is an opportunity that everyone should take advantage of.

How long have you been a champion?

I have been a champion since 2017.

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

Advocating for Malaria is important to me because of how deadly, yet preventable the disease is. If there is an opportunity to help those who are suffering, or could potentially suffer in the future, we should absolutely take it.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

A memorable moment from my time advocating with United to Beat Malaria was when I had the opportunity to lobby with an amazing team of scientists, professors, students, artists, and people who have suffered from Malaria at the House of Representatives.

How long have you been a champion?

Since Leadership Summit 2021

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

I am a proud auntie to four beautiful nieces and nephews… the thought of any of them losing their lives due to a mosquito bite is mind-blowing. United to Beat Malaria is saving lives and making real, positive change!

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

My first Leadership Summit was such a whirlwind but being able to “meet” (via Zoom) my own Representative and tell him why it is so important to support the Global Fund and PMI made me truly feel like I was doing the work.

How long have you been a champion?

I have been a Champion since 2017.

Why is advocating for malaria important to you?

Advocating for Malaria is important to me for several reasons. It seems incomprehensible to me that our innocent children have to die from a mosquito bite. My family is a military family, so I am also concerned about the risks our service members face. Then there is my personal exposure through my job. I have an international job and travel globally frequently, so the risk is very real and personal.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

One of my most memorable experiences when advocating was when I visited Lindsay Graham’s office here in Columbia, SC with my wife (who was also the 101st National President for JCI USA in 2021) and she ended up monopolizing the conversation because she personally knew one of the staff members (and several of their aquaintances) from the office. We also ran into Joe Wilson at the Christmas Parade 2 years ago in Lexington, SC. He took a photo with me, my son and wife. The following week in the mail I received an official US House of Representatives 8×10 signed photo and a personal letter thanking us for our work through JCI. Joe Wilson is a past JCI member and very supportive of our advocacy work with United to Beat Malaria.

How long have you been a champion?

My first summit was in March of 2017….so I’ve been a champion for over 5 years!

Why is advocating for malaria important to you

Malaria is a disease of poverty, inequality, and access. I have been fortunate enough to travel across the world as a professional airline pilot and I have witnessed firsthand the unfair and unequal conditions that people live in. We are very privileged and lucky in the USA to have resources and funding that allows Americans access to suitable shelter and medication which can prevent Malaria. Just as we deserve protection from this disease, so do the millions of other people who are born in areas with less access to good shelter and medical interventions. I feel personally responsible to advocate for those who don’t get to raise their voices to powerful political decision-makers and those who do not have the option to protect themselves and their families. It is easy for Americans to forget about Malaria because it is “not in our backyard.” But the reality is that until everyone is protected from Malaria, none of us are truly safe.

Describe a memorable moment from your time advocating with United to Beat Malaria.

During our first in-district meeting with our representative, we were so shocked to learn about how knowledgeable our Representative was regarding Malaria and global health efforts. We started the meeting with our personal stories and then lead into the United to Beat Malaria talking points. And then Representative Smith completely swept the conversation up to a whole new level. He educated us in our meeting! We were so impressed to learn about Representative Smith’s work with peacekeeping and how global health plays such an integral part in peace. He spoke about the refugee crisis, global travel, and of course the military. Our Representative is the Armed Services Chairperson and we did not expect this broad and in-depth response from him. The meeting really encouraged us and showed us that many decision-makers do truly care about global health and eradicating Malaria. This was the beginning of a great and long-term relationship with the office and we have been grateful to meet with the office ever since.