Today is World Malaria Day – a day meant to bring attention to this deadly disease.

There have been many accomplishments in fighting malaria over the last decade. In that time, malaria deaths have been cut by one-third in Africa and one-half outside of Africa, according to the web site, http://www.worldmalariaday.org. However, 3.3 billion people are still at risk of being affected by this mosquito-born disease, and most often, those affected are people living in poverty.

Symptoms include fever, chills and flu-like illness, which, left untreated, can result in death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 660,000 people died in 2010 alone.

Fortunately, malaria is preventable and treatable. A donation of $20 to Compassion International’s “Bite Back” campaign provides two mosquito bed nets to those in need. You can donate here: http://www.compassion.com/malaria-intervention.htm. Compassion provides nets and education to at-risk families as well as treatment to those already suffering from malaria.

Please watch the following video and consider making a donation today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LftEavUydNk&feature=player_embedded.