Students at the University of Calgary and some local musicians are hoping to make a difference in the lives of children suffering needlessly in sub-Saharan Africa though a fundraiser being held at a campus bar.
U of C student Dominika Kozlowski is organizing a concert at The Black Lounge on campus to raise money for the independent humanitarian medical aid agency Doctors without Borders. The event will be an all punk rock show, so students can mosh for malaria.
All of the money raised will be channelled through Doctors Without Borders to children suffering from malaria.
"The drug therapies currently used in Africa do not work, and combination therapies are desperately needed to reduce malaria mortality and morbidity," says Kozlowski.
"What is most disturbing is that these people, especially the children, are dying needlessly when all it takes to save their lives is an effective drug that costs about one dollar."
The shortage of adequate malaria medicine hasn't been among the well-publicized concerns for the area, which is one of the reasons Kozlowski chose to get involved.
"We chose to direct our attention towards malaria in sub-Saharan Africa because it is a huge problem that has been overshadowed by other issues, such as HIV/AIDS. In fact, malaria infects 300 to 500 million people per year, and 90 per cent of these cases occur in the sub-Saharan region. Furthermore, 20 per cent of the people that are ineffectively treated will die."
Kozlowski says help with this fundraiser has come from a number of places.
"The Black Lounge has offered to donate a portion of the evenings shot sales towards our cause - so come out and have a shot for a tot," she says.
Each of the bands participating in the show say they got involved so they can be part of something bigger then just rocking out.
"You don't get many opportunities to jump around with a guitar or yodel and actually do something to save people's lives," says Denis Komlmi of the Amazing Larry's.
"I am quite proud and excited to think that there are children on the other side of the world that are going to benefit from the show," Victor Pratt from The Borderguards adds. Pratt also helped fund this event; he picked the bands that are going to be at the show and just gave his heart into all the organizing of it.
"We wanted to be part of this fundraiser because, not only is it a good way to get our name out in the scene, but more importantly wanting to raise money and awareness about this endemic that so many children are forced to suffer with," David Emburi from the Howlin' Commandos says.
So, instead of going out to the bars on Saturday and spending your money on just drinks, head over to The Black Lounge and be part of a charity.
The show is on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. and cover is $5. |
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