(RED) & Christy Turlington Burns celebrate mothers

The sun was shining in New York on Saturday - we couldn’t have asked for a brighter day for (RED)’s annual Mother’s Day celebration which was once again hosted by Christy Turlington Burns.

Around 40 women and children (and 2 lucky men) gathered at Mario Batalli’s Del Posto restaurant in the Meatpacking District for an afternoon that gave us some insights into (RED)’s work and the important role that women play in the fight against AIDS.

Susan Smith Ellis, (RED)’s CEO, welcomed guests, who included Wendy Murdoch, Aimee Bell from Vanity Fair, Dr. Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija and Veronica Kelly. She thanked everyone for the support they have shown (RED) - in just three years (RED) has raised over $130 million and has impacted 4 million people through Global Fund financed programs.

While the children were entertained by Lou the magician and were busy colouring and painting Mother’s Day cards (thank you Hallmark!), the women heard about the impact of (RED)’s work.


(RED) CEO Susan Smith Ellis and Christy Turlington Burns

Christy drew on her experiences from a trip she took to Swaziland as a friend of (RED). What struck me was Christy’s statement that the life expectancy of women in Swaziland is 39 years old. Yet, for those living with HIV/AIDS this doesn’t necessarily need to be the case if they have access to anti-retroviral treatment. HIV/AIDS is a treatable illness. And that was the point that Professor Stephen Nicholas from Columbia University brought home to us.

For those with HIV/AIDS, anti-retroviral drugs can help them lead a productive life. When we think of the crucial roles women play as care-givers, as well as providers in the family, the impact of having women with HIV lead productive lives becomes all the more apparent. Professor Nicholas also spoke about how pregnant women with HIV will not necessarily pass the illness on to their children, if they have access to medicine during pregnancy. He talked about his own personal experience as a pediatric AIDS practitioner in Harlem and how his program has succeeded in practically eliminating cases altogether. He is happily nearly out of this job! He knows first-hand that this disease can be controlled, and even eliminated, if the right education, prevention and treatment steps are taken.

It was a great bunch of women who came together over the weekend to celebrate mothers here, in Africa and around the world. Happy Mother’s Day.

And if you’re wondering what to give this Mother’s Day be sure to check out some of the great (RED) products we have available for her.

Chrysi @ (RED)


Professor Nicholas


Lunch

What’s bringing Noel Gallagher & a shower in NYC together? (RED)WIRE

The 29th April issue of (RED)WIRE will feature a special recording from Noel Gallagher of Oasis. Here’s a sneak preview:



Noel Gallagher recorded and filmed this great and casual acoustic version of ‘Waiting for the Rapture’, a song from Oasis' latest album, in the shower stalls at Madison Square Garden after a gig there, just for (RED)WIRE, and with, we like to think, a little of the spirit of Willis Reed in tow.

To receive this song, just sign up for (RED)WIRE. (RED)WIRE is available in the US and UK and costs just $5/£4 per month - half of the proceeds go to buy medicine to keep people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa alive.

You can currently get two free issues of (RED)WIRE on us.

Great music saves lives, even when it's made in the shower.

Sign up for (RED)WIRE here or try two issues for free.

A Decade to Celebrate

I love it when I’m on the road for (RED) in Africa – nothing brings the (RED) idea to life more than meeting the children, the teens and the adults who are alive today thanks to the lifesaving and sustaining power of antiretroviral therapy that keeps their HIV virus at bay.

It’s this same antiretroviral therapy costing around 40 cents a day that has enabled Narte and Dorcas in Ghana; and Pamela and Bolelwa in Swaziland and Lesotho to celebrate their birthdays this month.

I know I take aging for granted; in fact I have to admit I don’t like the thought of getting older. But then I remember Bolelwa in Lesotho telling me how she was given just a few weeks to live when she was first diagnosed ten years ago as a scared 21 year old. But Bolelwa is an amazing, intelligent and brave woman and she refused to believe the misinformed health worker who told her this and went about finding out how to access the antiretroviral therapy which she knew could help her survive.

This Friday, a decade later, Bolelwa celebrates her 31st birthday!

When she first began taking ARVs all those years ago, Bolelwa was forced to sell her furniture and she knew she couldn’t have afforded to continue that way. Now the medicine is free to people who need them in Lesotho – and that’s thanks to financing from (RED) and the Global Fund (the organization which invests (RED) money in AIDS programs on (RED)’s behalf).

So if you had a birthday this month why not savor it even more knowing that for Narte, Dorcas, Bolelwa and Pamela; each and every birthday is a gift and an occasion they will probably never take for granted.

Happy Birthday friends,

Greta


Bolelwa Falten in November 2008

Watch Girl Skateboard for (RED)

Check out the new video that our Special Edition partner Girl Skateboard has created for (RED). Art Director Andy Jenkins and pro skater Mike Carroll talk about what working with (RED) means to them and how they hope to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis in Africa just by doing the things they do everyday – skating and designing boards. In Andy’s words “it’s pretty cool that something that we do on a day to day basis can help people in Africa with HIV and AIDS get the medicine they need.”

Conversations

By ANGELA PROUT

Last Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending ‘Conversations’ an event organized by our Converse partners to celebrate the Converse 1HUND(RED) collaboration series. The Converse 1HUND(RED) is a project that Converse launched in January of last year, to mark their 100th anniversary and to bring artists and creative talent from around the world together, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. The intention was to take some of the most original minds and harness their creative energy into a vehicle for change, to create a movement by turning art into power. From 400 selected artists Converse chose 100 different designs. Graphic artists, fashion designers, musicians and more have contributed to ‘100 visions of a better world’. With a white Chuck Taylor All Star shoe as their canvas each artist went at it, designing their shoe, inspired by their own devices, and lending their creative power to an idea designed to change the world. And the event set out to embody just that – challenging everyone to engage in ‘Conversation’ about (RED) and the issue of AIDS in Africa, and in continuing that talk, to build awareness and take action to do something about it. (RED) Global CEO Susan Smith Ellis, (RED)WIRE founder Don MacKinnon and I were all humbled to take part.

Hosted at New York’s Aquavit by Converse’s Creative Director Scott Patt (designer of shoe #38), musical artist Lupe Fiasco (designer of shoe #80) and renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, the intimate dinner brought a number of cultural influencers together. Additional 1HUND(RED) artists in attendance included fashion designers Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham of United Bamboo, installation artist Terence Koh, and fashion designers Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava. The venue exhibited a selection of 1HUND(RED) shoes with the artists’ original sketches displayed alongside. The event was set to the melodies of a kora (an African string instrument which sounds like a harp, with the body like a guitar with a drum on the end) played by Muhamadou Salieu Susso, the first cousin to Gambian master kora player Papa Susso. The cuisine was an eclectic mix from Ethiopian chef Marcus Samuelsson, served sharing style, from salmon skewers to couscous to honey ice cream. The night gave tribute to many different inspirations from Africa.

As dinner began Scott thanked us all for being there. He thanked (RED) for the initiative we have taken to partner with our brands to raise funds and awareness for HIV in Africa. He also gave special thanks to each of the artists who lent their talents for the collaboration. I had the pleasure of sitting beside Michael White, who paid homage to his late brother graffiti artist Dondi White by supplying original sketches from Dondi’s journal to Converse to design a shoe that represented Dondi’s iconic style – the first shoe in the 1HUND(RED) collection. As executor of his brother’s estate Michael spoke of being conservative about offering up his brother’s work. To ensure the authenticity of Dondi’s art Michael only releases it for projects he knows Dondi himself would be a part of. Partnering with Converse (PRODUCT) RED was a no brainer for him. I even witnessed Marcus’ friend Andrew ask him for some powdered sumac spice: a tart, deep red spice made from dried berries of the sumac bush, a favorite of his to season salads with and an essential ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. Within 2 minutes Marcus had emerged from the kitchen with a container of sumac in tow and sent it around the table for us all to smell. Marcus joined us for dinner, after toasting the night and offering words of appreciation for (RED). Having lost his mother to tuberculosis he is an avid supporter of the Global Fund and the work being done in Africa to eradicate disease.

Everyone had a story to share, to fuel the conversations we were there to have. It was a celebration of art and inspiration, of Africa and the power of change. I left wanting to continue the conversation, something we work to do every day here at (RED). I hope when you’re finished reading you will do the same.





Scott Patt and Marcus Samuelsson




Susan Smith Ellis and Lupe Fiasco - Photo Credit Patrick McMullan


Terrence Koh


The Converse Team


Vena Cava

(RED) Rocks in the Fortune 500 Issue

A few months ago we got a call we didn't expect to receive. It was from Fortune magazine asking if we wanted to be part of their Fortune 500 issue. We were surprised to get the call. After all, we're not a Fortune 500 company. They called us because we work with a number of Fortune 500 brands and because of the unique position we sit in between the corporate and public sectors. The editors at Fortune were intrigued by how the (RED) model has helped channel the marketing efforts and business profits from several Fortune 500 companies to help save the lives of some of the poorest people in the world — those living with HIV in Africa who cannot afford the 40 cent a day medicine they need to stay alive.

So earlier this month our board gathered in a studio in New York with the Fortune team for what turned out to be a music-filled, fun hour-long photo shoot. This was the first time, actually, that (RED)'s board had gathered for a photo. Our board is made up of Bono, lead singer of U2 and co-founder of (RED), Bobby Shriver, co-founder of (RED), Tom Freston, Principal, Firefly3, Juliet Flint, Partner KPCB, and (RED)'s Worldwide CEO, Susan Smith Ellis. Together at the shoot, we took a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come in three short years since we launched - thanks to the support of the brands we work with as well as the support of all of you. It was also a moment for us to look ahead at how much more there is to do in raising awareness and funds for our ‘shareholders’ - those living with HIV in Africa.

Click here to read about (RED) in the Fortune 500 issue and here to watch Susan Smith Ellis and Bobby Shriver talk about (RED) for the magazine. We may be the ones being featured but it’s thanks to our partners, supporters and all the people who chose to buy (RED) that we've been able to generate more than $130 million for the Global Fund, the organization we work with that puts the money to work on the ground in Africa. Thank you so much.

The issue hits newsstands on April 27.


Photo Credit: Ben Baker for Fortune Magazine

Saluting Sylvia

Sylvia Khuzwayo is from (RED)’s grant recipient country of Swaziland and she is HIV-positive (click here to read past blogs on Sylvia). This 41 year old support counselor for people living with HIV, took center stage in Manzini, Swaziland earlier this month when she graduated from an HIV management and care course. Since she was diagnosed with HIV, Sylvia has dedicated her life to supporting others living with HIV and to helping prevent the spread of the virus in her homeland of Swaziland, where 26% of all adults are HIV positive (Swaziland has the world’s highest HIV prevalence of any country).

Sylvia in her garden. (Photo Credit: © The Global Fund)

Sylvia has worked tirelessly for little pay to help people understand that living with HIV doesn’t mean living with a death sentence like it used to... not now that people can access the medicine they need to stay alive. Without the free antiretroviral therapy that Swaziland provides to people like Sylvia, thanks to financial support from (RED) and the Global Fund, Sylvia could not afford the two pills a day she needs to stay alive.

Sylvia, congratulations on your graduation! We salute you for always thinking of others and we want you to know we’re thinking of you right now….

--Greta

(RED) Inspired Virtual Gifts Now on Facebook

For a limited time only you can buy (RED) inspired gifts thanks to our friends at Facebook. Until April 12th, Facebook friends are able to buy a virtual gift that is inspired by (RED) in the Facebook gift shop. Proceeds from the gift go directly to the Global Fund - the organization we partner with to put 100% of the money raised from (PRODUCT)^RED purchases to work on the ground in Africa. It's part of Facebook's celebration of reaching 200 million members! Congratulations Facebook!

There are two (RED) inspired virtual gifts you can purchase that help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Choose from the 500 gift credit tote bag (that’s US$5) or the 1,000 gift credit Africa stamp (US $10). The Tote Bag can provide 11 days of lifesaving medicine for a person living with HIV in Africa. The Africa Stamp 22 days. We're excited the impact these gifts can have and we need your help to do it! Wherever you live in the world you’re able to buy these virtual gifts.



(RED) is all about giving you a choice to make a difference when you shop. And this is another way you can - virtually!

www.facebook.com/giftshop

PS: You need to have joined Facebook to buy a gift so if you haven't already, you can at http://www.facebook.com/ and remember to join the (RED) Facebook page at www.facebook.com/joinred

Millions of People Alive Today Thanks to Programs Financed by the Global Fund

Some powerful words were spoken at a gathering in Spain just last week... From March 30th to April 1st the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – the organization which invests (RED) money in AIDS programs in Africa on (RED)’s behalf – held an important performance review of its work.

This meeting took place in Cáceres Spain and was addressed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. He told the assembled gathering that the Global Fund is achieving tremendous results in preventing unnecessary deaths from AIDS, TB and malaria.

It is estimated that since its founding in 2002, programs supported by Global Fund financing have averted the deaths of more than 3.5 million people. Yes, 3.5 million people are alive today who may not have been were it not for the Global Fund. But there are many more who are still dying and as Ban Ki-moon said, the Global Fund needs more resources. It’s one reason why (RED) exists – to allow all of us to play a part in helping to save lives.

Click here to watch Ban Ki-moon’s address to the Global Fund’s review meeting earlier this week.

--Greta

New Gap (PRODUCT)RED Tees Available Now and You Could Score One for Free!

Gap (PRODUCT)^RED has just released their latest installment of graphic tees for men and women and they’re from some of the coolest artists around. The tees are in stores now but you can get your own for free from Nylon Mag. They’re offering 4 lucky winners a tee (sorry – open to women only), and these new designs are nothing short of stunning. Visit nylonmag.com for your chance to win, and act quick the deadline is tomorrow (apologies If you tried to enter yesterday please do so again as Nylon was experiencing a bit of a glitch).

If you don’t win a freebie be sure to check out your local Gap store or gap.com/red to purchase your very own. And don’t forget half of the profits from all Gap (PRODUCT)^RED items go to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa, so you can look good while doing good.

Rwanda on the Rise

We just read this great article about Rwanda in Fast Company and wanted to share it. It highlights some of the steps that Rwandan president Paul Kagame is taking to boost the country’s economy and to take it to a new place of prosperity. Rwanda is working to establish itself, to build up and become less dependent on foreign aid, and to develop economic security and distance themselves from the genocide they suffered just 15 years ago. And change is on the horizon.

As some of you may know Rwanda is a recipient of (RED) grants through the Global Fund, the organization which receives 100% of the proceeds raised through the sale of (PRODUCT) RED. Together more than 3 million people have been impacted by HIV and AIDS programs supported by your (RED) purchases, and in Rwanda alone we’ve reached over 501,000 pregnant women with counseling and services to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Strong links exist between HIV and poverty, and 90% of the adult population in Rwanda is living on a per capita income of less than a dollar a day. By 2020 they are aiming to boost GDP sevenfold, find paying jobs for half of Rwanda’s subsistence farmers, nearly quadruple per capita income, and turn the country into an African center for technology. Rwanda needs investment across the board and President Kagame is reaching out to forge new business relationships with the people that can make that happen. Known for its high quality coffee beans Rwanda has already sought investment from Costco and (RED) partner Starbucks, now the two top buyers of the country’s coffee. With these initiatives and others like them the country is turning itself around – continuing to heal while promoting hope and educating investors on the story and promise of Rwanda. We’re excited to follow their progress.

To read the full article from Fast Company click here.

Kerry-Lugar Amendment Passes

Our good friends at ONE passed along some great news today and we wanted to spread the excitement! After an uncertain couple of days the Senate has unanimously passed the Kerry Lugar Amendment which brings back the $4 billion that had previously been cut from the International Affairs budget. The International Affairs (150) account funds programs including PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), Malaria, debt relief, basic education and child survival.

A couple of months ago President Obama had gone ahead and requested $53.8 billion from Congress for the International Affairs account, a $4 billion increase from last year. But last week the House and Senate budget committees came back with their budget resolution and allocated only $49.8 billion – the exact same as last year. As a result Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced the Kerry Lugar Amendment to restore the $4 billion to the budget and bring it back to President Obama’s record-breaking request of $53.8 billion. And the amendment was passed yesterday afternoon thanks in part to the passionate ONE community that made their voices heard!

The passing of the amendment means the International Affairs account will have a better chance of receiving an increase, when they reconcile the House and Senate budget resolutions and begin the appropriations process. This means things like the number of people with AIDS on ARV treatment can increase, and more progress can be made on ending malaria deaths in Africa. This is a critical step in the fight against global poverty and will help even more people to lead healthier, more productive lives because of U.S.-supported AIDS medicine, schools, infrastructure projects, clinics, and other smart, efficient development projects funded by the International Affairs Budget.

We are happy to report this news and are thankful for all of the efforts around the world that are being made to eradicate hunger, poverty and disease. From fighting HIV in Africa to child hunger in America everyone who steps up to make a difference is changing lives, and there are many lives that need changing. So thank you for your support!

To read more on the amendment click here

And to pledge the ONE declaration and to find out more ways you can get involved with ONE visit http://www.one.org/declare/.

Bono named as one of Rolling Stone's Agents of Change

This month Rolling Stone is featuring 100 individuals – leaders, policymakers, writers, thinkers, scientists, celebrities and more - that are stepping up to make a difference in America, amidst this new age of change. Among them, and coming in at number 4 is (RED) co-founder Bono. Read more at Rolling Stone.

Fashion in Africa Changing Lives

Be sure to check out TIME’s Style & Design magazine this month, featuring how Africa is giving way to a variety of new inspirations and opportunities in fashion, from large scale brands to personally funded enterprises that are reaching out to forge ties there. As (RED) knows fashion can be an instrument of change and thanks to our supporters money generated from the sale of (RED) products has created a world of difference in Africa. Now other brands are stepping up too.

Many labels are seeking out partnerships with local African artisans, and fashion is providing new aid to Africa in the form of long term employment and business investments, while promoting the look, feel, and culture of the country in the designs. The artists and workers that help create these goods are in turn supporting their extended families, potentially changing many lives - the impact of an African accessory can go far beyond the aesthetics of wearing it. And while many of these new products are being made in the slums this initiative in Africa isn’t cheap – production in Africa can cost roughly four times as much as it does in Asia. These programs, similar to (RED) are about sustainability and changing lives, providing opportunities where opportunity is scarce. So thank you to TIME magazine for highlighting these great stories.