One Million African Lives Initiative
WHO:
Emeka Okafor, 2005 NBA Rookie of the Year and Charlotte Bobcat star
Jeff Busch, Founder, Safe Blood for Africa Foundation
Ethan Zohn, Winner of “Survivor: Africa,” Co-Founder of Grassroot Soccer, and Director of KickAIDS
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
Etan Thomas, Washington Wizards
WHAT:
Launch of the One Million African Lives Initiative
www.onemillionafricanlives.org
- An initiative that pledges to save 1 million lives in Africa over the next 5 years by reducing the number of HIV-infected blood transfusions given to innocent men, women and children.
- To raise $15 million dollars to support this effort
- To distribute 10 million blood testing kits to clinicians in Africa
- To announce the One Million African Lives website (www.onemillionafricanlives.org)
- To announce the formation of the Million Lives Committee
- To recognize World AIDS Day (December 1, 2006)
WHEN:
Thursday, November 30, 2006 from 6 – 9 pm.
WHERE:
Eyes-Only Room, International Spy Museum
800 F Street, Washington DC
WHY:
Emeka Okafor, whose family hails from Nigeria, has chosen to partner with the Safe Blood for Africa (SBFA) Foundation, a leading international non-profit organization with operations in 34 sub-Saharan countries, to raise awareness and promote a sustainable solution that will reduce the number of tainted blood transfusions through increased training and blood testing programs.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 24.5 million individuals live with HIV/AIDS, accounting for 71% of the estimated worldwide infections. Transfusion caused infections account for 10% of AIDS cases throughout Africa, with the majority of these cases being pregnant women and children suffering from anemia and malaria.
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About SBFA
Safe Blood for Africa, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, is now operational in 18 sub-Sahara countries offering technical assistance, clinical education and testing supplies. The goal is to work with 34 countries where blood contamination from infectious disease including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are most prevalent providing staff training in testing, donor recruitment and quality control systems where test kits are distributed. The organization is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Exxon Mobile, ACHAPS, and numerous government agencies.
About Emeka Okafor
In addition to being one of the NBA’s most talented young players, Emeka is one of the league’s smartest and well-spoken leaders. He not only graduated from the University of Connecticut in 3 years with a 3.8 grade point average in Finance, he did so while leading the University of Connecticut Huskies men’s basketball team to a National Championship in 2004. Since being selected second overall in the 2004 NBA draft, Emeka has become the face of the thriving young Charlotte Bobcats franchise. Before entering the NBA, Emeka represented the United States as a member of the bronze medal winning 2004 Olympic Basketball Team.
Effective on both ends of the court, Emeka’s equally adept at beating opponents with a low-post move or a mid-range jumper as he is at defending the leagues best scorers. A rebounding machine, both offensive and defensive, Emeka had more consecutive double doubles in his rookie season than any player since 1969.