PSI Ambassador Mandy Moore and ABC News Announce Essay Contest for Social Change

NEW YORK, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, as a follow up to World Malaria Day, PSI Global Ambassador Mandy Moore and ABC News' Be the Change: Save a Life are co-hosting an on-line essay contest, asking others to share stories of what inspires them to take action in global health.  Selected essays will be highlighted on ABC News' SaveOne.net and Moore's personal blog.  

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(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/MM90230 )

"Through my work and travels with PSI, I have encountered men and women of every age and background working to improve the health and lives of others," said Moore.  "With this essay contest, we give everyday heroes a platform to share their stories."

On Monday, in celebration of World Malaria Day, the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign honored Moore as a "Champion in the Fight Against Malaria" for her work with PSI – the largest distributor of anti-malaria mosquito nets in the world.  

She joined a list of other "Champions" – including basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo, Executive Director of Roll Back Malaria, Dr. Awa Marie Coll-Seck, and Nathaniel Stafford, a Boy Scout who walked more than 100 miles to raise enough money to provide mosquito nets to 1,000 families.

"Deaths from malaria and other diseases are falling around the world because of the continued work of individuals like Nathaniel," added Moore.  "His story alone is proof that one person can make an impact by channeling their ideas and passion into action.  I hope this essay competition inspires others to do the same."  

Moore has traveled with PSI to Southern Sudan and the Central African for net distributions. In 2011, PSI delivered its 120 millionth mosquito net, and the organization is set to distribute an additional nine million nets in a campaign planned for the Democratic Republic of Congo later this year.  To date, these campaigns have saved more than one million lives and averted more than 120 million malaria cases.

Essay submissions must be 300-500 words and should be emailed to [email protected]  by midnight on Sunday May 1st, 2011.  For more information, please visit SaveOne.net or contact Anna Dirksen ([email protected]; 202 469 6673)

About PSI

PSI is a leading global health organization with programs targeting malaria, child survival, HIV, reproductive health, and non-communicable diseases. Please visit our website www.psi.org, follow PSI on twitter at twitter.com/PSIHealthyLives, or subscribe to PSI's blog at www.psihealthylives.com  

SOURCE PSI