Alyssa Milano is the Global Network's new lead ambassador. Milano will work to raise awareness of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by educating the mainstream media and general public of the plight faced by the one billion people that are afflicted by NTDs, and the importance in controlling and preventing this global health crisis.  Her first action as ambassador was to donate $250,000 to the Global Network Drug Fund. The GLOBAL NETWORK and its partnering organizations will use Milano's first-year donation for a full-scale implementation program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Myanmar, a Southeast Asian nation where LF is extremely prevalent.  More specifically, 12 million tablets of DEC, which is part of the rapid impact package, will be purchased to treat four million individuals.

Milano, an active philanthropist, was introduced to the GLOBAL NETWORK through her involvement at the Clinton Global Initiative.  Upon hearing a panel discussion on NTDs that included Peter Hotez, President of Sabin Institute, and former President Jimmy Carter, she pledged to dedicate time, efforts and funds to promote advocacy, policy and partnerships in the global fight against NTDs.