12.14.2006 - 11:42am ET

(CSRwire) ABBOTT PARK, IL., Dec. 14, 2006 – Every 30 seconds an African child dies of malaria, one of the world's most pressing health care crises. But children in American schools have likely never heard of this neglected, yet preventable, disease that will kill 3,000 children before this day is over. To raise awareness about malaria, Abbott Fund announced today that it is providing $1 million in funding to develop innovative malaria education materials that will reach almost 6 million American children and their families.

The materials, including a book for first graders entitled, "Nets are Nice," will be developed in partnership with Malaria No More and Scholastic, and will be distributed by Scholastic, the world's leading publisher of educational materials, to virtually all elementary schools in the United States. The foreword for "Nets are Nice" was written by Mrs. Laura Bush.

The Abbott Fund-sponsored program will be announced today in Washington at the White House Summit on Malaria hosted by the President and Mrs. Bush. The White House Summit will discuss education as one of several ways to combat the disease.

"Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease. Each of us has a responsibility to end the suffering caused by this devastating disease – because every life matters. And all of us can do something to help – governments, businesses, philanthropies, churches and schools. Every one of us matters in the fight against malaria," said Mrs. Laura Bush.

With the support of Abbott Fund, the Malaria No More materials, including student and family resources and teachers' lesson plans, will be developed and distributed by Scholastic to first-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students throughout elementary schools in the United States starting in early 2007.

"Through this unique partnership with Malaria No More and Scholastic, we intend to raise awareness among American children about the health challenges faced by children in many developing countries, and that solutions are within reach," said Catherine Babington, president, Abbott Fund. "These educational materials also inform children about the transformational role science plays in solving disease, and how they can be part of the solution now and in the future."

"Education is the first step in the fight against malaria. We can't beat what we don't know," said John Bridgeland, CEO, Malaria No More. "When you're not personally impacted by a disease or don't see it in your own country, you tend not to think about it, even if it's resulting in a million deaths a year in other parts of the world. Partnering with Abbott Fund, we hope to add malaria to the discussion in the homes of millions of American families. It must begin with the education of our children, who can become a generation engaged in saving the lives of other children in Africa – by taking action today."

About Abbott and Abbott Fund

Abbott and Abbott Fund are investing $100 million to fight HIV/AIDS in the developing world by expanding patients' access to testing, treatment and care. Most recently, Abbott Fund partnered with the Baylor College of Medicine and the Government of Malawi to build and open the country's first clinic to treat and care for children living with HIV. Abbott and Abbott Fund also are supporting organizations dedicated to fighting malaria. Abbott is currently providing scientific expertise to the Institute for OneWorld Health to develop a low-cost antimalarial therapy. For several years, Abbott also has provided bulk artesunate at no profit to the World Health Organization to support its anti-malaria initiatives.
Abbott and Abbott Fund have a long history of supporting innovative approaches to science learning. This includes partnering with the National Inventor's Hall of Fame, The Keystone Center and the National Science Olympiad. Abbott and Abbott Fund also focus on creating hands-on science experiences by bringing Abbott scientists into the community through programs like Abbott Family Science Nights, After School Matters — a partnership with the city of Chicago to bring science learning to inner-city after school programs — and Operation Discovery, an interactive science education program that enables middle school students to discover DNA extraction, learn basic lab procedures, work with microscopes, and explore science and engineering careers with Abbott scientists.

Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott, the global health care company, in 1954 to create healthier global communities by investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand health care and strengthen communities worldwide.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.

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