It was the 2006 PBS program "Malaria: Fever Wars" that compelled Lynda to take action, as she learned not only of the devastating impact of malaria and how it kills a child in Africa every 30 seconds, but also of the incredible ease by which this deadly disease can be prevented — by sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net. At the mere age of five, Katherine understood the importance of bed nets and wanted to send them to Africa right away!
Katherine and Lynda made their first bed net presentation during Labor Day Weekend in 2006 at their church in Pennsylvania. To reach the church youngsters, they displayed actual bed nets, performed skits, crafted bookmarks, and used a handmade diorama, constructed by Katherine and her 3-old brother Joseph. During the holiday season, children from Katherine's church and local community, as well as her neighborhood friends and even her little brother hand-decorated more than 600 gift certificates, allowing gift givers to purchase bed nets in honor of a friend, teacher, or family member. The certificates were a huge success, and by Christmas, Katherine and her mother had raised more than $10,000, reaching their fund raising goal for 2006. On World Malaria Day in 2011, Katherine was featured in the Nothing But Nets Champions to End Malaria photo exhibit. Joined by champions including Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, Dikembe Mutumbo, and others, Katherine helped unveil the exhibit at the United Nations Headquarters to show that anyone can be a champion in the fight against malaria.