Dozens of UConn medical and dental students played some good old-fashioned backyard games on Friday to help support a program that benefits families halfway across the world.

The fundraiser, held in the Health Center’s courtyard, was organized by the Medical Dental Student Government (MDSG) and raised hundreds of dollars for “Nothing But Nets.”

Teams of students paid to play a variety of games, including Frisbee toss, mini-golf, puzzles, pogo, and hula-hoops.  All the money raised goes to Nothing But Nets.

Nothing But Nets is a United Nations’ nonprofit organization that distributes insecticide-treated bed nets to children and families in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is the leading cause of death in African children, and one bed net can make the difference in preventing infection. The Nothing But Nets campaign began in 2006 when well-known sports writer Rick Reilly wrote a column about malaria in Sports Illustrated. He challenged his readers to donate $10 each, which bought a bed net and paid for shipping.

MDSG plans activities to help ease the stress of classes, distributes funding to student groups, and advocates for the student body to the academic leaders of both schools.

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