World AIDS Day 2009
December 1, 2009
Global
Photo: Jon Hrusa/EPA
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On December 1, World AIDS Day, we commemorated the progress the global community has made in the fight to eradicate pediatric AIDS, and our own contributions to the cause. As a time to reflect on accomplishments and look ahead to new challenges, the Foundation recognized the date through many great initiatives:
- Dr. Nick Hellmann, Interim President and CEO, shared his thoughts on World AIDS Day in a recent President's Message.
- In correlation with World AIDS Day, WHO released new recommendations on the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. These improvements in international HIV/AIDS guidelines present the Foundation the opportunity to increase our global impact through our programs worldwide. Read more.
- Foundation Ambassador Cristina Pena joined other young adults for a discussion on HIV/AIDS, hosted by the White House. In addition to the opportunity to share her story and educate others on pediatric AIDS, Cristina, and fellow Foundation Ambassador, Ben Banks, spent some time with children affected by HIV/AIDS at Washington, DC, non-profit, AIDS/HIV Care, Inc.
- Individual country offices commemorated the Foundation's work through their own World AIDS Day celebrations. Our team in Uganda opened a refurbished AIDS clinic and participated in a pediatric AIDS conference, while staffers in Tanzania and Mozambique joined in community marches advocating for HIV/AIDS prevention. Our team in South Africa attended an event with President Jacob Zuma, and Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, and Foundation employees in Core d’Ivoire shared information and educated attendants at a government-sponsored exhibition.
- Among a variety of mentions in national and international media, European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) photographer Jon Hrusa featured the Foundation in a photo story chronicling a young family in Swaziland receiving treatment from a Foundation-supported clinic. The beautiful photos captured a unique perspective on treatment and illustrated the benefits of our work on the ground.