U is for Unprepared

The end of the alphabet completely snuck up on me. So I am completely unprepared for the letter U.

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But since today is World Malaria Day, here's a little something to consider.

• Half of the world's population—3.3 billion people—are at risk of contracting malaria. (source)
• Between 300 and 500 million people contract malaria each year, and one million of those die. (source)
• 650,000 children under age 5 die of malaria each year; that's 65% of total malaria deaths and the third leading cause of under-five mortality. (source) 
• Malaria contributes to the continuing cycle of poverty in developing nations. (source)

Ready for some good news?

• Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. (As an interesting tidbit: only female mosquitoes bite; males eat pollen and are an important part of the ecosystem.)  
• Anopheles mosquitoes are active at night, biting while people sleep. (source)
• Bed nets can cut incidences of malaria by at least 25%. (source)
• You can donate a bed net and save a life for as little as $5 through Malaria No More or Nothing But Nets. 

Think of it as paying it forward. You don't suffer from malaria; help others to achieve the same goal. 

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Creativity and Compassion

This is one of those weeks... I have multiple deadlines, sick children to tend to, and absolutely no time for creative pursuits (I don't even have time for my morning pages—ack!). So I'm not writing much today, other than to link to a few other, thoughtful sites.

• See Soul Shelter for some thoughts on creating a cultural bill of rights. 
• The Compassionate Action Network will be hosting a festival of compassion tomorrow to honor Seattle as the first city to adopt the Charter for Compassion. (Have you affirmed the charter, yet?)
• And Sunday is World Malaria Day. Those of us fortunate enough to live in areas unaffected by malaria don't often consider its impact, but please consider helping the fight against this disease, to break the cycle of illness and poverty affecting people in many developing nations.

Do something compassionate this weekend. Then come back here and tell us what it was, how it felt, who benefited from your actions.