March of Washingtons to expand to pneumonia drugs

30 Jul 2023
Africa Fighting Malaria
The March of Washingtons will now also raise funds for the purchase and distribution of antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia.

Hedge Funds vs. Malaria & Pneumonia and Africa Fighting Malaria teamed up in May 2008 to launch the March of Washingtons to help address the lack of access to high-quality antimalarial drugs for people in Africa. But as malaria prevention has improved, fewer cases of fever are likely to be malaria and could be pneumonia.

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children worldwide and is largely a neglected disease. As cases of pneumonia often present with the same symptoms as malaria, the two diseases are easily confused. Pneumonia is treated with inexpensive antibiotics but, according to the World Health Organization, less than 20% of children with pneumonia receive the antibiotics they need. As a result, the March of Washingtons has decided to start raising funds to procure both malaria and pneumonia drugs to ensure that no child should die of either disease.

Here's the idea: George Washington had malaria. George Washington died of pneumonia. George Washington is on the one dollar bill. For every Washington ($1) raised or donated, we will buy a high-quality malaria or pneumonia treatment for a person in Africa, and conduct quality control testing of antimalarial drugs on the market.

To help in the fight against malaria and pneumonia, hold your own March of Washingtons or simply donate to the March of Washingtons by visiting our website.