Tom Hadfield, the entrepreneur who created Soccer.net and sold the online property to ESPN for $40 million dollars when he was still in his late teens, has started a new social network named MalariaEngage.org in the hopes of increasing attention about the disease and work to further aid its eradication.
John Joseph of Reuters reports today that Mr. Hadfield last year had the opportunity to travel to Africa, and came back amazed by the number of people dying from disease - particularly as it is a preventable one. Believing in the power of social networks, he set up MalariaEngage on the broader Zazengo network in the hopes of leveraging connections established on the Web to get the word out to more and more people around the globe about the plight caused by malaria infections in Africa.
In addition to offering a system through which far-reaching activists can forge ties, the site does accept donations, which can be split up over multiple Malaria related research projects. Of course, the site is more about spreading the word, and letting you connect with others interested in making a difference, including scientists involved in the research. "It's about more than about giving money - it's about creating connections," said Hadfield. "By encouraging individual participation and involvement, we will create international communities of common interest. This is the essence of social networking." Having taken a brief tour of MalariaEngage, we can tell you that the website is still under construction, but it is said that the destination will be fully active soon.