Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Until There's A Cure supports AIDS-related causes in Africa

Until There’s A Cure Foundation reaffirmed its support for AIDS-related causes in Africa by serving as an organizing partner of the April 20th African First Ladies Health Summit, which featured the First Ladies of seventeen African countries. UTAC Executive Director Nora Hanna forged relationships with the summit’s principal organizers, US Doctors for Africa and African Synergy, through her work as a member of the steering committee.

The Summit focused on the UN Millennium Development Goals of eliminating HIV/AIDS and other diseases, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health – all of which are fundamental to the work of Until There's A Cure. Panel discussions, presentations by the First Ladies, and informal conversations placed a spotlight on the continent hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic:

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 12% of the world’s population, but 65% of all people living with HIV/AIDS.

Roughly 9 out of 10 children who are HIV positive today hail from African countries.

Of the children under the age of 18 orphaned by HIV/AIDS worldwide, nearly 80% live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Members of the Board of Directors of Until There’s A Cure joined other foundations, corporate citizens, and NGOs at the Summit, drawing inspiration from the First Ladies and their efforts to combat HIV and AIDS in their own countries. The Summit concluded by exploring a number of promising solutions to the challenges of educating citizens, preventing infection, and treating those already infected. Despite facing grave conditions, these remarkable women demonstrated their indomitable spirits and the importance of hope in the face of adversity.

Until There’s A Cure is building upon the valuable knowledge and relationships developed at the Summit to increase its efficacy at fighting AIDS in Africa.

Be a part of the solution. Visit www.until.org and purchase unique products that directly support HIV/AIDS efforts in Africa.

Until There’s A Cure………………wear the bracelet.

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