World AIDS Day 2011: Make A Mother's Fight Your Fight
(Photo: Jon Hrusa)
On December 1, 2011, countries everywhere once again recognized World AIDS Day – and because last summer marked the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis, this year’s World AIDS Day events took on added resonance. Now, as always, we at the Foundation remember our founder Elizabeth Glaser’s passion for and dedication to ending pediatric AIDS, and we reaffirm our commitment to finishing the work she started.
One mother’s fight has now become our fight – and it can be won with your continued support.
Elizabeth was a woman of
uncommon bravery and unshakable conviction. During her brief yet brilliant life, she realized that every mother must understand how to prevent transmission of HIV to her child. She pressed for the rights of every HIV-infected child to have access to the same lifesaving treatments as HIV-infected adults. She was relentless in advocating for pediatric HIV/AIDS research and for the health of mothers and children everywhere. Then as now, her legacy inspires us to push forward.
However, our work will not be finished until there are zero children infected with HIV via transmission from their mothers. On World AIDS Day and every day, we make a solemn promise to fight like the unforgettable Elizabeth Glaser – a mother of two, a hero to millions – would fight.
We invite you to join us. Thanks to you, ending pediatric AIDS is within our reach.
Above, U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the crowd at a World AIDS Day event at George Washington University on December 1, 2011 -- with the Foundation's logo positioned prominently in the background. Watch the video replay of this event here.
Watch the Foundation's all-new video "Countdown to an AIDS-Free Generation" below!
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- Visit the Foundation's blog for our World AIDS Day news and in-country updates, and check back in the coming days for more information.
- Watch a replay of a December 1 event at George Washington University commemorating World AIDS Day and featuring U.S. President Barack Obama and other luminaries including Foundation Ambassador Florence Ngobeni-Allen. (Florence shares her personal story starting at 1:19:05, and explains the importance of American investments starting at 1:36:48.)
- Florence is an HIV educator, spokesperson, and programs consultant from South Africa who has come face-to-face with world leaders to advocate for AIDS relief. Read her inspiring Story of Hope.
- RJ Simonds, the Foundation's Vice President for Program Partnerships and Innovation, joined Florence at a Foundation- and ONE-sponsored briefing “A Mother’s Fight: Achieving Elimination of Pediatric AIDS.” Read the recap here.
- Listen to the song "Lalela" by Zimbabwean recording artist Prudence Katomeni -- an inspiring call for preserving maternal health and keeping children HIV-free.
- Charles Lyons also conducted an interview on FOX News about World AIDS Day and what the AIDS epidemic has taught us in the past 30 years. Watch it here.
- At the AIDS@30 event at Harvard University, Symposium Program Chair and Foundation Senior Advisor Ric Marlink, along with other AIDS@30 leaders, offered fresh perspectives in the video "Funding the Future AIDS Response." Watch it here.
- The Foundation has created a panel for the 2015 Quilt, a unique online initiative created by sister organizations (RED) and ONE that unites people everywhere in calling for an AIDS-free generation by 2015. View the panel here, then create one of your own.
- Only half of the HIV-positive women in the areas hardest hit by AIDS receive the medicines they need to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Become an advocate and show your support for the elimination of pediatric AIDS.
- Support the Foundation as you buy your holiday gifts this year! Visit our Shop page to learn more.