***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
December 1, 2017
CONTACTS:
Jenny Yang 443.527.8363
Matthew Soerens 920.428.9534
World Relief Calls for Renewed Attention to AIDS on World AIDS Day
BALTIMORE, MD – It’s estimated that more than 36 million people worldwide are currently living with AIDS, more than 2 million of which are children. Approximately 5,000 new cases are contracted every single day and 1 million lives are lost each year. While significant progress has been made in combating this deadly disease, with this many lives still at risk, the world cannot afford to get complacent and forget those still in desperate need.
We pleased to hear that in the United States, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) efforts have increased, saving more lives and preventing future infections at a greater rate than in years past, with a record 13.3 million precious lives receiving antiretroviral treatment. Medical and technological improvements have made it possible to treat more infections than ever before, yet it is absolutely crucial that efforts are also focused on preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS from ever occurring in the first place. We urge Congress and the Administration to continue to support funds to combat this disease.
We are proud of the lifesaving work World Relief staff and volunteers have done on the front lines throughout Africa and across the globe to help make sexually transmitted diseases a thing of the past. We won’t let up our efforts until AIDS is history.
Download the PDF version of this press release.
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World Relief is a global humanitarian relief and development organization that stands with the vulnerable and partners with local churches to end the cycle of suffering, transform lives and build sustainable communities. With over 70 years of experience, World Relief works in 20 countries worldwide through disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding and has offices in the United States that specialize in refugee and immigration services.
Website | worldrelief.org Twitter | @WorldRelief