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Fighting Malaria

Macoumba Kandji of the Houston Dynamo (photo via Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com)

Dynamo star who overcame malaria fights for something bigger than MLS Cup, David Beckham

Nothing But Nets, a global, grassroots campaign that raises awareness and funds to fight malaria, got the kind of start not even the most talented writer could script — unless of course your name is Rick Reilly. Back in 2006, the then-Sports Illustrated columnistwent to his attentive audience and asked for help, “I’ve never asked for anything before, right? Well, sorry, I’m asking now.”

Like many, Reilly realized an imminent need for something and wanted to see just how powerful his voice was. His mission was to help kids who were dying at unprecedented numbers from malaria, a disease spread by just a single mosquito bite. A simple inexpensive net would prevent the spread of the disease and in turn save thousands of lives.

His request was simple: “Donate $20. Bang. You might have just saved a kid’s life,” was the closing line to the article, which later proved to be life changing for so many.

Statistics show that a child dies from malaria every 60 seconds. Kandji was one of the lucky ones.

Nothing But Nets (NBN) was born and the campaign has continued to remain strong, thanks in part to many folks in the sports world. One Houston athlete taking a stand is Houston Dynamo forward Macoumba Kandji.

Kandj is no stranger to the devastating disease and he is asking for help that goes far behind the game even as he prepares to play one of the biggest games of his life — the MLS Cup vs. the LA Galaxy on Saturday.

Kandji, who goes by “Mac”, volunteered to be a spokesperson for the NBN campaign because he knows firsthand the effects of malaria. At the age of 14, Mac was hospitalized for malaria. Born in Senegal and raised in Gambia, Kandji knows malaria is a sad truth for many kids growing up in those areas and throughout Africa.

Statistics show that a child dies from malaria every 60 seconds. Kandji was one of the lucky ones, not only overcoming the disease, but also becoming a professional soccer player with one MLS title already under his Adidas belt.

Macoumba Kandji of the Houston Dynamo (photo via Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com)

Having already scored four goals this season for the Dynamo, Mac is now focusing on two kinds of nets — one he hopes to kick a goal in against the star-studded LA Galaxy (you might have heard David Beckham is playing his last game for them), and another that can save the lives of millions of children throughout Africa.

‘What they [NBN] do is just amazing. I told them my story and that I wanted to help. I want to do everything I can to help the kids in Africa and protect them,” Kandji says. “They are saving lives.

“As human beings, we should all want to help and I’m asking my fans to do whatever they can to help protect kids so they don’t have to go through what I went through as a kid.”

Sobering Statistics

There are more than 200 million cases of malaria each year, and more than 600,000 of those infected die from the disease, mostly in Africa. Children under five are at greatest risk — accounting for more than 90 percent of deaths from malaria. The World Health Organization reports that half of all families in sub-Saharan Africa have at least one bed net, and malaria rates have plummeted by more than a third in the past decade.

Nothing But Nets provides everyone — from students to CEOs, bishops to basketball players — the opportunity to join the fight against malaria, a leading cause of death among children in Africa, by giving $10 to send a net and save a life.

“As human beings, we should all want to help and I’m asking my fans to do whatever they can to help protect kids so they don’t have to go through what I went through as a kid.”

“Sports is part of Nothing But Nets’ DNA,” says Chris Helfrich, director of Nothing But Nets. “Mac Kandji understands firsthand what it means to suffer from malaria. Having a soccer star like Mac spread the buzz in support of our campaign means that many more fans will join the fight against malaria and protect families in Africa from this deadly disease.

“Helping is so simple: It just takes $10 to send a net and save a life.”

While passionate and very much focused on helping NBN as an official spokesperson, Mac is also still fully focused on the championship trophy.

“Once we got in [the playoffs], we just started beating teams,” he says. “This team is really strong and deep.”

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

November 30, 2012/by Jayme

Photo Courtesy of Nigel Brooks | Houston Dynamo

Bald is Beautiful

Soccer

Photo Courtesy of Nigel Brooks | Houston Dynamo

Somewhere long ago, we as women grew up thinking men going bald signified really old men, like our fathers. Sure they were wise, and great providers, but sexy-I-want-to-touch-your-hot-body-hot? As if!

Our dads and grandpas were bald — how on earth can that be sexy?

Some world-class hot-bodied athletes sporting bright orange jerseys are changing all that. It’s true — Bald is Beautiful.

At least it is when the Houston Dynamo are behind it, shaving their heads to help give cancer the boot. For the fourth straight year, the Dynamo held a shaving party to raise money for children’s cancer research. Added bonus? Some of the young cancer patients got to shave the hair off the soccer standouts themselves.

This year’s campaign is voluntarily led by second-year forward Will Bruin. After he finished the “main event” (as he called it) of getting his head shaven at BBVA Compass Stadium Tuesday, he chatted about the very worthwhile campaign and a cause that’s become very near and dear to his heart.

Having participated last year in a Bald is Beautiful campaign led by former Dynamo player Mike Chabala, Bruin took it upon himself to become the face . . . er bald head . . . of the cause.

“During the past year, I have found great joy and have met some remarkable people during my visits to local children’s hospitals,” Bruin said. “One such person I met was a high-spirited young lady named Rosa. Unfortunately, Rosa passed away recently, and while I only knew her for a short time she always felt like a friend that I have known for much longer.

Photo Courtesy of Nigel Brooks | Houston Dynamo

“Visiting with children like Rosa has made me thankful for the opportunities I have been given in my life and has motivated me to make a difference.”

Rosa used to refer to Bruin as “the cute soccer boy” who’d light up her days. That’s the same way plenty of women all over Houston feel about the well-built Midwesterner.

“It’s so awesome. I love going to the hospital and being a part of these people’s lives,” Bruin said. “It puts a smile on not only their faces but mine also. It’s awesome to see the patients I’ve made relationships with through the years and to have them come out and shave my head as part of the cause — it was really fun for all of us.”

Then, it was time for Bruin to go bald.

When asked how he felt about his new hairstyle, Bruin was clearly in good spirits.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I can feel the breeze going through my hair again, but I’m going to have to put sunscreen on it! For the past three or four months I guess you could say I’ve been growing my hair out for this cause.

Photo Courtesy of Nigel Brooks | Houston Dynamo

“I guess to be fair, I wasn’t really growing it out because it’s so thick I had to get it trimmed every once in a while. But I did it so people wouldn’t really notice (the previous haircuts). This is a big deal for me and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

While Bruin is happy to go bald, he admits it isn’t necessarily the best look for him.

“Well, I didn’t shave today so I have a shaved head with kind of a beard-thing going on — this is a new look for me. I might not recommend it to anyone,” he said.

As for on the field? “I hope it makes me more aerodynamic for Thursday’s game,” he said.

Bruin wasn’t the only Dynamo to go bald. Joining him in parting ways with their locks were all-star goalie Tally Hall, defender Bobby Boswell, 19-year-old goalie Erich Marscheider, midfielder Colin Clark, midfielder Brian Ownby, goalkeepers coach Tim Hanley and head athletic trainer Theron Enns.

Dynamo fans can support the campaign by donating directly to Dynamo Charities on behalf of Bald is Beautiful (be sure to reference “2012 Bald is Beautiful”), with all donations benefiting the Curing Children’s Cancer Fund. Those who participate will also have the opportunity to have their heads shaven at Thursday’s home match against Real Salt Lake.

For a donation of $10 or more, fans can support the cause and help find a cure for children’s cancer. Additionally, fans can purchase the Bald is Beautiful ticket package for $49.99. The package includes two tickets to the game, two Bald is Beautiful T-shirts and the opportunity meet Bruin following the match.

For more information, check out the Bald is Beautiful website.

This article was featured on Culture Map, Houston’s Daily Digital Magazine in the sport’s section.

September 7, 2012/by Jayme

Kicking and Screaming

Soccer

Illustration by April Guzik

Soccer recently entered my world in the form of bright colored jerseys worn mostly by my cultural influences in Houston demanding that The Blonde Side take notice of one of the greatest, most powerful sports of all time. To find a collective group of athletes that could respectively take their shirts off and give 28 year-olds hot flashes is a laborious chore, unless of course you look at the anatomy of soccer players across the world. It gives new meaning to “The Beautiful Game”. Beautiful men using their beautiful legs to kick a beautiful ball around in well, a beautiful game.

June 9, 2010/by Jayme