Malaria. Over the last two years, I've done a lot with the disease: analyzed its interventions each day at work, conducted policy research about it this summer in Zambia, and ran a marathon for it last November. I've always cared about malaria's deadly effects and reducing its devastating burden, but the disease itself has been pretty abstract to me. Until now.

In early October 2010, a very good friend of mine very suddenly lost his 6 month old son, Lubomba Sakhile, to malaria. I had met his son in Zambia, I had played with his tiny fingers. Lubomba never stood a chance against this rapid bout of malaria. He never will have the chance to live his life. Malaria got personal really quickly for me.

With my friend's permission, I'm dedicating my training, fundraising, and running of the 2010 NYC Marathon in memory of Lubomba. With Lubomba as my motivation, I aim to raise at least $10,000 for Team Malaria No More to help prevent similar tragedies due to malaria - "Lives for Lubomba." These funds go directly to Malaria No More's work in supporting Tanzania's malaria control activities, which provide treatment, preventative measures (e.g., bednets), and health education services to Tanzanians. While this work won't bring back Lubomba, it's the only way I know how to cope with this horrible occurrence - and to try to make things better for those still among us.

Any donation is greatly appreciated. Although I fully recognize the difficulty of these economic times for many, I'm not asking for much and I think you'll find it shockingly easy to find a few dollars to donate - especially when you think about how those few dollars are being spent. Donate the $10 you saved by skipping a movie at the cinema and borrow a movie from the public library instead. Have two less beers at the bar this weekend, and you've got yourself a bednet. Downgrade your coffee size for a week and then make cash saved a life saved. Using this website for donation is simple and secure, and it's tax deductible.

Thank you so much for supporting Lives for Lubomba, and in turn, helping to provide life-saving malaria interventions to children who need them. Please do not hesitate to forward my website or information to others who might be interested in donating.