BRIDGEVIEW, IL - Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez has been honored for his work in the fight against malaria with an invitation to attend the White House this Wednesday, April 25, for a visit with President Bush and the first lady in the Rose Garden. Diego and and his wife Ginna will be joined by MLS Commissioner Don Garber in the nation's capital along with other organizations and individuals involved in promoting malaria awareness.
Wednesday has been declared "Malaria Awareness Day" in the United States, as Mrs. Laura Bush is calling on Americans to donate $10 for anti-malaria bed nets. Major League Soccer has become involved in the battle against malaria through its community outreach initiative - MLS W.O.R.K.S. - collaborating with the Nothing But Nets and Malaria No More campaigns.
Gutierrez has taken an active role in promoting fundraising efforts for Nothing But Nets, a program of the United Nations Foundation that provides protective bed netting. Diego and Ginna brought several MLS players to Bridgeview on April 2 to tape a public service announcement. The PSA will broadcast on stadium scoreboards around the league. In addition, Gutierrez has invited players in every MLS market to serve as community ambassadors at Nothing But Net fundraising events.
"It's really important that we continue to aggressively fight this disease," said Gutierrez. "Malaria kills more people than all the world's armed conflicts combined. It's an extremely, serious situation."
Malaria kills over 1 million people a year, including 3,000 children every day in Africa (one child every 30 seconds). A blood disease transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes, Malaria infects between 350 and 500 million people each year. Although the disease has been eradicated from the U.S. for over 50 years, malaria remains a major health threat in more than 100 countries, leaving more than 40 percent of the world's population at risk. Malaria is preventable and treatable, but more than $3.2 billion per year is needed to effectively combat the problem globally.
Gutierrez is a Fire "Original", enjoying his sixth season in his second stint with the team. He has been involved in MLS since the league's inception 12 years ago. Active in numerous community service projects, Diego is helping to organize a 5K/10K Run/Walk over Memorial Day Weekend for the USA Salute charity (usasalutes.org), which benefits military veterans and their families. He is also active with the YMCA's Kids Need Heroes program and serves on the Board of Directors for the FireWorks for Kids Foundation - the Fire's charitable arm. A native of Columbia, Gutierrez has been recogized by the Changing Worlds organization as a role model for immigrants and was cited as a strong role model at the 2006 Sports Fans Choice Awards hosted by the Profile Network. Gutierrez received the Fire's 2006 Humanitarian of the Year award as well.
"We've had a lot of compassionate athletes through our 10 years, but none have been as passionate in their outreach efforts than Diego," said Donald A. Ortale, Fire Senior Director of Community Relations. "Anytime we ask for assistance, he is always there to help."
For more information on malaria awareness and donation opportunities, log on to www.NothingButNets.net or www.malariaNOMORE.org.
