Dear Friend:

Two years ago former Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez called me up one day and told me about malaria. He told me that this disease, which is spread by a mosquito, kills a child every 30 seconds in Africa. He also told me that with a simple $10 bed net, we can prevent these deaths.

Today, I am honored to be a national spokesman for the Nothing But Nets campaign - a cause for which we can all be champions! There are eight-year-olds raising thousands of dollars to buy bed nets. In fact, there are events taking place all over the country this year for World Malaria Day, April 25.

I can hardly comprehend how a simple mosquito bite can be the leading cause of death for children in Africa as well as the number one killer of refugees. Imagine that - people who have fled their homes due to conflict and persecution are most likely to die from the bite of a tiny mosquito.

MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, has partnered with the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign to raise awareness about malaria and send nets to save lives. I have had the opportunity to see these nets distributed firsthand in Mali and I can tell you, we are saving lives.

The good news is, MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Leagues' clubs, players and fans - YOU - have already been making a difference. Help a refugee family today. For every $10 we donate, Nothing But Nets can purchase and distribute a life-saving bed net, as well as educate the recipients on its use. Such a simple solution!

What can we do? Tell a friend about malaria and Nothing But Nets. Skip your morning lattes and donate. Learn more about what the League is doing here, and check out the World Malaria Day map to see what others are doing - you can even register your own event!

Remember: Send a net. Save a life.
Thanks!

Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto FC

P.S. Find out if your team is participating in the MLS World Malaria Day Challenge
http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/programs/mls_works