Title: Laughter Against Malaria: Celebrities Join the Fight
Who wouldn't love a good laugh while contributing to a noble cause? That's exactly what CollegeHumor and Malaria No More had in mind with their 2015 campaign. Dubbed "Malarious," this initiative aimed to eradicate all malaria-related deaths in Africa by 2015, infusing a dose of humor into the fight against this deadly disease.
The idea was simple but effective: get a bunch of famous faces involved and make people pay for the privilege of watching their crazy antics. Celebrities like Ed Helms, Kenan Thompson, and "Weird Al" Yankovic jumped on board, doing some pretty weird and hilarious things. The catch? You had to donate at least $1 to watch these hilarious videos. Every penny went towards treating children with malaria or preventing the spread of the disease.
Don't be swayed by the promise of laughter alone. Malaria is no joking matter. In 2010, it claimed an estimated 655,000 lives, with a shocking number of them being children under the age of five. But CollegeHumor was determined to use its platform for a greater good. These funny videos served a dual purpose: providing a good chuckle and a much-needed boost to the fight against malaria.
And what happens in the videos? Well, we wouldn't ruin the surprise. But let's just say that Elizabeth Banks found herself on the receiving end of a well-deserved pie in the face.
So, can comedy truly make a difference in the fight against malaria? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Remember, laughter might be the best medicine, but in this case, it also happens to be the best medicine for the wallet.
Photography courtesy of Shana Fagan
Bonus: Don't forget to check out Greatist's collection of Weekly Viral Videos for more laughter and good vibes!
Enrichment Notes:
CollegeHumor and Malaria No More used comedy as a tool to raise awareness and funds for malaria prevention and treatment. They created humorous sketches featuring celebrities, shared them on social media, and incorporated a fundraising element that made the campaign more engaging and accessible. By leveraging comedy, they were able to build awareness and attract attention to the malaria fight in an approachable way.
The campaign also included sharing nutritious information about malaria-affected areas, emphasizing the importance of good nutrition in combating the disease. This was achieved through other videos that highlighted the role of nutrition in health and wellness.
The success of the "Malarious" campaign encouraged other organizations to adopt similar strategies, recognizing the power of comedy and social media in raising awareness and funds for social causes.
Additionally, CollegeHumor continued its commitment to social causes, using its platform to promote various health initiatives. One of these was a series of videos focused on raising awareness about the importance of regular exercise and a balanced diet for overall health.
