At the end of November 2010, UNAIDS released its annual global report on the Global AIDS epidemic. While it was more than 300 pages of facts and figures, the headline was clear – the AIDS epidemic has been halted and the world is beginning to reverse the spread of HIV.
That is big news.
After this epidemic has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people, we are starting to see that it may be possible to win this war. New HIV infections have fallen, AIDS-related deaths are down and the total number of people living with HIV is stabilizing.
Perhaps one of the most positive pieces of news was that the total number of children born with HIV has decreased dramatically – putting us even closer to reaching the goal of eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV by 2015. An estimated 370,000 children were newly infected with HIV in 2009, representing a drop of 24% from five years earlier. Significant gains were observed in sub-Saharan Africa where new HIV infections among children have fallen 32%.
While we celebrate progress and push forward to reach the major milestone of creating the first AIDS-Free generation in nearly thirty years, it’s even more important to strengthen our focus and funding for this issue. There are still more than 33 million people in the world living with HIV and Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be most affected by the epidemic representing 69% of all new HIV infections. We should celebrate progress and accelerate action or all that has been accomplished will be lost and we will end up spending much more down the line to treat the disease as it continues to ravage future generations.
To read more of the UNAIDS 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic go here.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Download The Frames’ (RED)NIGHTS Recording & Help Eliminate AIDS
One of our favorite bands in the world, The Frames, recorded their entire (RED)NIGHTS show last week at the Vic Theater in Chicago and have made it available for purchase on their site for 2 euros with the proceeds going to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS. (You can pay with Paypal and it does the currency conversion.)
Over the last couple of years, an amazing array of artists have turned one of their concerts into a (RED)NIGHT. This fall, The Frames, took it to a new level: they turned their whole tour (RED). It’s the 20th Anniversary tour of the band and that was an awfully generous way for them to mark it.
The Frames are led by Glen Hansard – who you may know from the Swell Season and the movie Once. If you only know him from these latter two incarnations, you have missed a boat. It's like only hearing Neil Young acoustic – but missing “Powderfinger.” There is catharsis and sheer joy, and sometimes anger. They are one of those perfect bands that can change gears at will and break your heart in three minutes and 42 seconds.
And the best way to hear them, truly, is in a live setting. So download this (RED)NIGHT – 20 songs, including our favorite “Lay Me Down” and a genius encore cover of Brendan Behan’s “The Auld Triangle.”
Over the last couple of years, an amazing array of artists have turned one of their concerts into a (RED)NIGHT. This fall, The Frames, took it to a new level: they turned their whole tour (RED). It’s the 20th Anniversary tour of the band and that was an awfully generous way for them to mark it.
The Frames are led by Glen Hansard – who you may know from the Swell Season and the movie Once. If you only know him from these latter two incarnations, you have missed a boat. It's like only hearing Neil Young acoustic – but missing “Powderfinger.” There is catharsis and sheer joy, and sometimes anger. They are one of those perfect bands that can change gears at will and break your heart in three minutes and 42 seconds.
And the best way to hear them, truly, is in a live setting. So download this (RED)NIGHT – 20 songs, including our favorite “Lay Me Down” and a genius encore cover of Brendan Behan’s “The Auld Triangle.”
Friday, December 10, 2010
Some Encouraging Words from Stephen W. Nicholas, M.D.
Stephen W. Nicholas, M.D. is a good friend of (RED) and Founder and Director of the Columbia University International Family AIDS Program. He shares his outlook on the potential of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV:
The UNAIDS Global Report released recently contained mostly encouraging news about the ongoing efforts to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. In a nutshell, the number of people with HIV/AIDS in the world is stabilizing.
The greatest success is happening in the push to end mother-to-child transmission of the disease. In Sub-Saharan Africa – the region most profoundly impacted by the epidemic – new HIV infections among children have dropped 32%, according to the report, as more countries have adopted and implemented effective treatment regimens.
One of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals is to virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV worldwide by 2015. It may sound like a short deadline for an awfully ambitious goal, but the fact is that it is entirely attainable.
We’ve seen how it can work here in the U.S. In New York State, in particular, the Department of Health AIDS Institute created programs and implemented policies over the last two decades that have essentially eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
From the start, New York State – and especially New York City -- has led the nation in the number of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. At the peak of the epidemic in 1990, an estimated 475-759 HIV-infected babies were born in New York State; by 2008, that number dropped to an astonishingly low six – a 99% reduction.
How was this turnaround accomplished? Primarily through HIV screening of pregnant women and the administration of effective ARV medications to pregnant women and newborns. De-stigmatization of HIV testing and smart public health programs and policies were also critical factors.
While the HIV/AIDS epidemic hasn’t ended in New York, there has been so much success in preventing mother-to-child transmission and pediatric HIV/AIDS that we are able to realistically speak of its imminent elimination. It is a truly incredible public health success story that can be replicated in Africa.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – with support from nations of the world and innovative private funding sources like (RED) – has joined a group of NGOs in making this a priority. If these organizations are given the necessary resources, we may be ready to welcome the first generation of babies born HIV-free in decades. It will be a critical milestone in the battle against HIV/AIDS and the basis of a solid foundation for the broader effort to eradicate this pandemic altogether.
The UNAIDS Global Report released recently contained mostly encouraging news about the ongoing efforts to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. In a nutshell, the number of people with HIV/AIDS in the world is stabilizing.
The greatest success is happening in the push to end mother-to-child transmission of the disease. In Sub-Saharan Africa – the region most profoundly impacted by the epidemic – new HIV infections among children have dropped 32%, according to the report, as more countries have adopted and implemented effective treatment regimens.
One of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals is to virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV worldwide by 2015. It may sound like a short deadline for an awfully ambitious goal, but the fact is that it is entirely attainable.
We’ve seen how it can work here in the U.S. In New York State, in particular, the Department of Health AIDS Institute created programs and implemented policies over the last two decades that have essentially eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
From the start, New York State – and especially New York City -- has led the nation in the number of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. At the peak of the epidemic in 1990, an estimated 475-759 HIV-infected babies were born in New York State; by 2008, that number dropped to an astonishingly low six – a 99% reduction.
How was this turnaround accomplished? Primarily through HIV screening of pregnant women and the administration of effective ARV medications to pregnant women and newborns. De-stigmatization of HIV testing and smart public health programs and policies were also critical factors.
While the HIV/AIDS epidemic hasn’t ended in New York, there has been so much success in preventing mother-to-child transmission and pediatric HIV/AIDS that we are able to realistically speak of its imminent elimination. It is a truly incredible public health success story that can be replicated in Africa.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – with support from nations of the world and innovative private funding sources like (RED) – has joined a group of NGOs in making this a priority. If these organizations are given the necessary resources, we may be ready to welcome the first generation of babies born HIV-free in decades. It will be a critical milestone in the battle against HIV/AIDS and the basis of a solid foundation for the broader effort to eradicate this pandemic altogether.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Hope for an AIDS Free Generation
A few words from Dr. Patricia Nkansah-Asamoah from the TEMA Clinic in Ghana, which receives (RED) funds.
I celebrated World AIDS Day last week feeling very hopeful that we are well on our way to reaching one of the most important goals in the fight against AIDS – to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the year 2015 and create the first generation of babies born HIV/AIDS free in nearly three decades.
As a physician who works at Tema General Hospital in Ghana, I have the privilege of seeing first-hand the profound impact that this effort is having on the people of Ghana. Compared with the rest of Africa, Ghana has been relatively fortunate in evading a full-blown AIDS pandemic. Yet Sub-Saharan Africa, of course, is home to the majority of HIV patients. For instance, of the 33 million people who have AIDS around the world, 22 million – a full two-thirds -- live in Africa. Africa is home to 14 million children who’ve lost one or both parents to AIDS.
And yet, despite the grim statistics, there are stories of hope. Take for instance, one of my HIV positive patients, Ruth, who has a beautiful HIV-negative daughter Bernadetta. Ruth was diagnosed with HIV in 2004 when she was pregnant. Ruth visited Tema General Hospital for routine antenatal care and, when tested for HIV, was found to be positive. The diagnosis was a shock for Ruth and, at first, she was devastated and worried that her child would die of the virus. Because our hospital has access to the appropriate treatment through funding from organizations like the Global Fund, I was able to treat her to help prevent transmission to her baby. I put Ruth on ARV treatment to help lower the viral load in her body. After birth, Bernadetta was also given ARV medication specifically formulated for infants. Bernadetta then was tested periodically until he was 1 ½ years old. She is HIV negative and thriving.
By far the most gratifying part of my job is taking an HIV positive mother through labor and delivery, and following up with her and being able to tell her after 18 months that her baby is HIV negative. I have seen, first-hand, that when mothers have access to ARVs, they use them. And when they use them the chances of vertical transmission (when the virus travels inadvertently from the pregnant mother to her child) are minimal. At Tema General Hospital, a mere 5% of babies whose mothers have begun treatment test positive.
I am hopeful that as we focus our energy and resources on eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015, that our transmission rate will drop to zero and I’ll have more stories like Ruth where we are able to give our babies the gift of being HIV-free at birth.
This will not only be an incredible moment for that generation, but for generations to follow as we will finally get one step ahead of this virus as our children start their lives healthy.
Of course, there is always more to do. We need better facilities and equipment. We need more staff. But most important, we need the continued commitment from the global community so we can keep up this life-saving work, which is giving the people of Ghana, Africa at large and our children new hope for the future.
- Dr. Patricia Nkansah-Asamoah
Learn more at joinred.com
I celebrated World AIDS Day last week feeling very hopeful that we are well on our way to reaching one of the most important goals in the fight against AIDS – to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the year 2015 and create the first generation of babies born HIV/AIDS free in nearly three decades.
As a physician who works at Tema General Hospital in Ghana, I have the privilege of seeing first-hand the profound impact that this effort is having on the people of Ghana. Compared with the rest of Africa, Ghana has been relatively fortunate in evading a full-blown AIDS pandemic. Yet Sub-Saharan Africa, of course, is home to the majority of HIV patients. For instance, of the 33 million people who have AIDS around the world, 22 million – a full two-thirds -- live in Africa. Africa is home to 14 million children who’ve lost one or both parents to AIDS.
And yet, despite the grim statistics, there are stories of hope. Take for instance, one of my HIV positive patients, Ruth, who has a beautiful HIV-negative daughter Bernadetta. Ruth was diagnosed with HIV in 2004 when she was pregnant. Ruth visited Tema General Hospital for routine antenatal care and, when tested for HIV, was found to be positive. The diagnosis was a shock for Ruth and, at first, she was devastated and worried that her child would die of the virus. Because our hospital has access to the appropriate treatment through funding from organizations like the Global Fund, I was able to treat her to help prevent transmission to her baby. I put Ruth on ARV treatment to help lower the viral load in her body. After birth, Bernadetta was also given ARV medication specifically formulated for infants. Bernadetta then was tested periodically until he was 1 ½ years old. She is HIV negative and thriving.
By far the most gratifying part of my job is taking an HIV positive mother through labor and delivery, and following up with her and being able to tell her after 18 months that her baby is HIV negative. I have seen, first-hand, that when mothers have access to ARVs, they use them. And when they use them the chances of vertical transmission (when the virus travels inadvertently from the pregnant mother to her child) are minimal. At Tema General Hospital, a mere 5% of babies whose mothers have begun treatment test positive.
I am hopeful that as we focus our energy and resources on eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015, that our transmission rate will drop to zero and I’ll have more stories like Ruth where we are able to give our babies the gift of being HIV-free at birth.
This will not only be an incredible moment for that generation, but for generations to follow as we will finally get one step ahead of this virus as our children start their lives healthy.
Of course, there is always more to do. We need better facilities and equipment. We need more staff. But most important, we need the continued commitment from the global community so we can keep up this life-saving work, which is giving the people of Ghana, Africa at large and our children new hope for the future.
- Dr. Patricia Nkansah-Asamoah
Learn more at joinred.com
Spreading the Word: 'An AIDS Free Generation is Due in 2015'
This World AIDS Day many friends of (RED) shared their thoughts about the goal of creating an AIDS free generation by 2015. Read on to hear what Michel Kazatchkine from the Global Fund, Malaak Compton-Rock, Kelly Rutherford, Alan Cumming, Ethan Zohn and more had to say.
A big thank you to each of them for raising their voices on behalf of this important issue and helping us to raise awareness and educate about this goal.
(RED) CEO Susan Smith Ellis on Huffington Post
(RED) CMO Jen Willig on Tonic.com
(RED) Director, Digital Strategy & Marketing Chrysi Philalithes on 140hope.org
Executive Director of the Global Fund Michel Kazatchine on Huffington Post
Converse CMO Geoff Cottrill on Adage.com
Djimon Hounsou on CNN.com
Kelly Rutherford on Popeater.com
Alan Cumming on Alancumming.com
Malaak Compton-Rock on Parents.com and ONE.org
Lance Bangs, director of (RED)'s documentary The Lazarus Effect, on Tonic.com
OUT.com
Twitter.com
Foursquare.com
A big thank you to each of them for raising their voices on behalf of this important issue and helping us to raise awareness and educate about this goal.
(RED) CEO Susan Smith Ellis on Huffington Post
(RED) CMO Jen Willig on Tonic.com
(RED) Director, Digital Strategy & Marketing Chrysi Philalithes on 140hope.org
Executive Director of the Global Fund Michel Kazatchine on Huffington Post
Converse CMO Geoff Cottrill on Adage.com
Djimon Hounsou on CNN.com
Kelly Rutherford on Popeater.com
Alan Cumming on Alancumming.com
Malaak Compton-Rock on Parents.com and ONE.org
Lance Bangs, director of (RED)'s documentary The Lazarus Effect, on Tonic.com
OUT.com
Twitter.com
Foursquare.com
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
(NIKE)RED Tackles AIDS with the UK Parliamentary Teams On World AIDS Day
(NIKE) RED was centre-stage at the World AIDS Day Parliamentary football match in London last week. The United Nations football team took on the UK MPs team, to raise awareness of the goal of eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV by 2015. With the help of the great team at Nike, everyone on the United Nations team stood out in their (RED) kit, right down to their (NIKE)RED laces, and declared the possibility of an AIDS Free Generation due in 2015 across their shirts.
The teams braved the snow and ice to play the match, ensuring the message was extended throughout the United Nations community, UK Parliament and throughout the MPs’ constituencies across the UK. The possibility of an AIDS Free Generation is a message that is of significant priority for the UN and Parliamentary teams. Russell Brown MP, Shadow Defence Minister and player on the Parliamentary team, who helped organise the match, had this to say:
“Each year nearly half a million babies are born with HIV or contract it through their mother’s breastmilk. But there are simple and affordable medicines to prevent this. We’re asking the Government to support the campaign for an AIDS Free Generation born in 2015.”
The teams braved the snow and ice to play the match, ensuring the message was extended throughout the United Nations community, UK Parliament and throughout the MPs’ constituencies across the UK. The possibility of an AIDS Free Generation is a message that is of significant priority for the UN and Parliamentary teams. Russell Brown MP, Shadow Defence Minister and player on the Parliamentary team, who helped organise the match, had this to say:
“Each year nearly half a million babies are born with HIV or contract it through their mother’s breastmilk. But there are simple and affordable medicines to prevent this. We’re asking the Government to support the campaign for an AIDS Free Generation born in 2015.”
A Few Words from Concillia of The Lazarus Effect Film
My name is Concillia Muhau and my story, and those of three of my countrymen, is depicted in the film The Lazarus Effect, which was produced by (RED) and re-aired on HBO on December 1, World AIDS Day.
In the six months since the film originally aired on HBO, my life has continued to change for the better. I am now a peer educator at the Kanyama Clinic, I’m training at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, and my four year old daughter Natasha continues to thrive in school. This is all great news, but things might have been very different if I had not had access to lifesaving treatment which keeps my disease at bay and prevented the transmission of HIV to Natasha during childbirth. Because of funding by organizations like the Global Fund, PEPFAR and (RED), HIV positive people like me now have access to medication and a chance at life and babies in Zambia and many other countries are increasingly less likely to be born HIV positive.
My story is not so different from many others in Africa. I began taking antiretroviral medication about six years ago and while I was blessed to receive the drugs, I didn't realize I would need to take them for the rest of my life. After I felt strong again, I thought, "I feel better, so why should I continue taking the pills?" After some time I became so sick that I was close to death, which you can see in the film. I realized that I had to take the ARVs again, this time knowing that they will keep me alive if I commit to taking them every day for the rest of my life. Now, I feel like I've been given another chance to be able to take care of my beautiful daughter.
One young woman who was not as fortunate was Bwalya Liteta, who, along with me, shared her story in The Lazarus Effect film. She passed away in August at the age of 12 from AIDS complications. Bwalya had lost both her parents and she, like me, had battled back from near death with the help of medication. The most powerful message that we can take away from Bwalya’s death is the importance of giving our children a fighting chance at birth and making sure they are not born with HIV.
The good news is that this is very possible. Today, almost half of the HIV positive pregnant women who need treatment to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies receive it. Within five years, we can reach 100% of women who need this treatment. That means that by 2015, we can have a whole generation of babies born free of this disease and reach one of the most important milestones in the fight against AIDS.
I have been blessed with the healthy daughter and I hope that we will all stand together to make this dream a reality for all mothers who are living with HIV.
- Concillia Muhau
Watch The Lazarus Effect here and a recent update on the individuals featured in the film here.
Learn more at http://www.joinred.com/
In the six months since the film originally aired on HBO, my life has continued to change for the better. I am now a peer educator at the Kanyama Clinic, I’m training at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, and my four year old daughter Natasha continues to thrive in school. This is all great news, but things might have been very different if I had not had access to lifesaving treatment which keeps my disease at bay and prevented the transmission of HIV to Natasha during childbirth. Because of funding by organizations like the Global Fund, PEPFAR and (RED), HIV positive people like me now have access to medication and a chance at life and babies in Zambia and many other countries are increasingly less likely to be born HIV positive.
My story is not so different from many others in Africa. I began taking antiretroviral medication about six years ago and while I was blessed to receive the drugs, I didn't realize I would need to take them for the rest of my life. After I felt strong again, I thought, "I feel better, so why should I continue taking the pills?" After some time I became so sick that I was close to death, which you can see in the film. I realized that I had to take the ARVs again, this time knowing that they will keep me alive if I commit to taking them every day for the rest of my life. Now, I feel like I've been given another chance to be able to take care of my beautiful daughter.
One young woman who was not as fortunate was Bwalya Liteta, who, along with me, shared her story in The Lazarus Effect film. She passed away in August at the age of 12 from AIDS complications. Bwalya had lost both her parents and she, like me, had battled back from near death with the help of medication. The most powerful message that we can take away from Bwalya’s death is the importance of giving our children a fighting chance at birth and making sure they are not born with HIV.
The good news is that this is very possible. Today, almost half of the HIV positive pregnant women who need treatment to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies receive it. Within five years, we can reach 100% of women who need this treatment. That means that by 2015, we can have a whole generation of babies born free of this disease and reach one of the most important milestones in the fight against AIDS.
I have been blessed with the healthy daughter and I hope that we will all stand together to make this dream a reality for all mothers who are living with HIV.
- Concillia Muhau
Watch The Lazarus Effect here and a recent update on the individuals featured in the film here.
Learn more at http://www.joinred.com/
On World AIDS Day the World Turned (RED)
On World AIDS Day, December 1st, 2010, cities around the world lit their most distinctive landmarks (RED) to raise awareness of the goal of an AIDS Free Generation due in 2015. Last year nearly half a million babies were born with HIV. By 2015, that number could be zero – creating the first AIDS Free Generation in 30 years.
Thank you to all of the cities and landmarks that turned (RED) to help make the world more aware of this goal. And a special thanks to Sister Cities International for their help and support during this campaign. Aren’t the photos amazing?
Thank you to all of the cities and landmarks that turned (RED) to help make the world more aware of this goal. And a special thanks to Sister Cities International for their help and support during this campaign. Aren’t the photos amazing?
And the Winner is...
Congratulations to Jeremy Bingham – winner of the “Threadless Loves (PRODUCT)RED” design challenge. (RED) and Dell teamed up with Threadless to give artists a chance to design the latest Dell Design Studio XPS and Mini laptops covers. The winning design, titled “Transformation”, received scores from over 900 people within the Threadless community. The design will be printed on Threadless t-shirts and Dell design studio laptops – both of which will contribute a portion of the proceeds to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS.The butterflies used in Bingham’s design resemble red monarchs symbolizing the transformation of Africa. We love the theme, design, and Bingham’s passion for (RED).
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Bugaboo & Gwen Stefani Team up to Help Eliminate AIDS
In honor of World AIDS Day, our partner Bugaboo teamed up with world-renowned style icon Gwen Stefani, Creative Director of L.A.M.B and front woman of No Doubt, to create a custom, one-of-a-kind Bugaboo Cameleon. This exclusive Bugaboo stroller will be auctioned off to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. The auction will run through December 5, 2010 with 100% of the proceeds going to the Global Fund, the recipient of (RED) funds.
Gwen Stefani, a long time Bugaboo supporter and mom of two, designed this unique Bugaboo Cameleon using the latest prints from her iconic fashion line L.A.M.B. The customized Bugaboo Cameleon features a floral fabric with L.A.M.B. written in a graffiti style, while the front and back of the stroller are lined in Vachetta leather trim and embellished with rounded pyramid studs. A luggage tag imprinted with L.A.M.B. completes the look.
While there will only be one winner, anyone can support (RED) by purchasing a Bugaboo product as 1% of sales across the product range are donated to the Global Fund. With this auction Bugaboo is helping to reach the goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2015.
Go here to bid.
Gwen Stefani, a long time Bugaboo supporter and mom of two, designed this unique Bugaboo Cameleon using the latest prints from her iconic fashion line L.A.M.B. The customized Bugaboo Cameleon features a floral fabric with L.A.M.B. written in a graffiti style, while the front and back of the stroller are lined in Vachetta leather trim and embellished with rounded pyramid studs. A luggage tag imprinted with L.A.M.B. completes the look.While there will only be one winner, anyone can support (RED) by purchasing a Bugaboo product as 1% of sales across the product range are donated to the Global Fund. With this auction Bugaboo is helping to reach the goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2015.
Go here to bid.
(PENGUIN CLASSICS) RED – Now Available in the US and Canada!
PENGUIN CLASSICS (PRODUCT)RED™ are now available in the United States and Canada too! That means you can now get (PENGUIN CLASSICS) RED around the world.
Penguin Classics have partnered with (PRODUCT) RED bring you a selection of some of the best books ever written, capturing the imagination of millions of readers around the world, transforming the way people think, feel and read forever. Now they’re available in the United States and Canada just in time to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1st, and fifty percent of Penguin’s profits from these titles will go to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS.
Renowned Penguin cover designers (including Coralie Bickford-Smith—Dangerous Book for Boys, Penguin Hardcover Classics) have lent their drafting hands to create vibrant, new packages for vibrant, beloved titles: The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad, Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Silas Marner by George Eliot, Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence, and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James all get the (PRODUCT) RED design treatment.
In addition to these six titles that are available in the US, Penguin Canada has partnered with Indigo, Canada’s largest book retailer, and will release an additional 10 classics in Canada for the 2010 holiday gift-giving season. “The message of this campaign is that these great books still have the power to change lives—and literally, to save lives” says Indigo CEO Heather Reisman
Check them out here and make sure to get your hands on a few copies.
In the US: www.penguinclassics.com/red
In Canada: www.penguinclassics.ca/red
Penguin Classics have partnered with (PRODUCT) RED bring you a selection of some of the best books ever written, capturing the imagination of millions of readers around the world, transforming the way people think, feel and read forever. Now they’re available in the United States and Canada just in time to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1st, and fifty percent of Penguin’s profits from these titles will go to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS.
Renowned Penguin cover designers (including Coralie Bickford-Smith—Dangerous Book for Boys, Penguin Hardcover Classics) have lent their drafting hands to create vibrant, new packages for vibrant, beloved titles: The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad, Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Silas Marner by George Eliot, Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence, and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James all get the (PRODUCT) RED design treatment.In addition to these six titles that are available in the US, Penguin Canada has partnered with Indigo, Canada’s largest book retailer, and will release an additional 10 classics in Canada for the 2010 holiday gift-giving season. “The message of this campaign is that these great books still have the power to change lives—and literally, to save lives” says Indigo CEO Heather Reisman
Check them out here and make sure to get your hands on a few copies.
In the US: www.penguinclassics.com/red
In Canada: www.penguinclassics.ca/red
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
An AIDS Free Generation by Ethan Zohn
Today is World AIDS Day and I’m writing to pass on some really cool news. We are right around the corner from achieving one of the most important milestones in the fight against AIDS – virtually eliminating mother-to-child transmission of the disease by 2015.
For nearly ten years, I’ve dedicated myself, through my work with Grassroot Soccer, to educating young people across Africa – the region hardest hit by this disease -- on the importance of knowing their status and how to stay HIV negative. Our goal is to create a generation that is more informed and better equipped to beat this disease. During my trips to Africa, I come into contact with children who have lost one or both parents to HIV (nearly 14 million children across Africa have been orphaned by AIDS) or with children who are HIV positive themselves (90% of all children who contract the disease are in Africa). This is not OK.
What I have realized is that the most powerful thing that can be done to equip these kids is to give them an HIV-free, healthy start at life. And, that is completely possible. The treatment exists to virtually eliminate the chance that an HIV positive pregnant woman will pass the virus to her baby and yet only about half of all women who need the treatment have access -- over 1,000 babies are born every day with the disease. The amazing thing is that more than a dozen global health organizations have come together to work to increase access to treatment to all women who need it, and virtually eliminate transmission of the disease, by 2015.
Still, this is just one step in the right direction. We must maintain pressure on governments and these organizations to continue the progress – to maintain funding and focus on the issue so that this goal is achieved. Today, (RED) is launching a campaign “The AIDS Free Generation is Due in 2015” to help get people involved and raise awareness of this goal around the world. We’re asking people to tweet with #turnred, turn their Facebook profile picture (RED), to shout #turnred when checking in to foursquare to unlock the (RED) 2015 badge and more. Every action will help turn a map of the world (RED) to show the support spread around the world.
It will be a beautiful day when every child starts life without the burden of this disease. That day is not too far away.
Learn more at WWW.JOINRED.COM.
Ethan Zohn was a professional soccer player for the Hawaii Tsunami and Cape Cod Crusaders and in Zimbabwe for Highlanders Football Club. He is also the winner of the hit reality show, Survivor:Africa and used his prize money to co-found Grassroot Soccer, which uses the power of soccer to provide African youth with the knowledge, life-skills and support to live HIV-free.
For nearly ten years, I’ve dedicated myself, through my work with Grassroot Soccer, to educating young people across Africa – the region hardest hit by this disease -- on the importance of knowing their status and how to stay HIV negative. Our goal is to create a generation that is more informed and better equipped to beat this disease. During my trips to Africa, I come into contact with children who have lost one or both parents to HIV (nearly 14 million children across Africa have been orphaned by AIDS) or with children who are HIV positive themselves (90% of all children who contract the disease are in Africa). This is not OK.
What I have realized is that the most powerful thing that can be done to equip these kids is to give them an HIV-free, healthy start at life. And, that is completely possible. The treatment exists to virtually eliminate the chance that an HIV positive pregnant woman will pass the virus to her baby and yet only about half of all women who need the treatment have access -- over 1,000 babies are born every day with the disease. The amazing thing is that more than a dozen global health organizations have come together to work to increase access to treatment to all women who need it, and virtually eliminate transmission of the disease, by 2015.
Still, this is just one step in the right direction. We must maintain pressure on governments and these organizations to continue the progress – to maintain funding and focus on the issue so that this goal is achieved. Today, (RED) is launching a campaign “The AIDS Free Generation is Due in 2015” to help get people involved and raise awareness of this goal around the world. We’re asking people to tweet with #turnred, turn their Facebook profile picture (RED), to shout #turnred when checking in to foursquare to unlock the (RED) 2015 badge and more. Every action will help turn a map of the world (RED) to show the support spread around the world.
It will be a beautiful day when every child starts life without the burden of this disease. That day is not too far away.
Learn more at WWW.JOINRED.COM.
Ethan Zohn was a professional soccer player for the Hawaii Tsunami and Cape Cod Crusaders and in Zimbabwe for Highlanders Football Club. He is also the winner of the hit reality show, Survivor:Africa and used his prize money to co-found Grassroot Soccer, which uses the power of soccer to provide African youth with the knowledge, life-skills and support to live HIV-free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
(RED) on Facebook
(RED) on Twitter
Posts
