Dear Mae,

Last week, in a crowded room of 3,000 people in Atlanta, with scientific researchers, HIV/AIDS activists, and White House officials in attendance, I stood up and shared my personal story concerning HIV/AIDS.

Join me in urging President Obama to make women, children, and families a priority in a National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

My son, Brett, contracted HIV at birth in 1980. For Brett and our family, the daily realities of HIV and AIDS took a steep toll. We endured a constant challenge to find the right medicines for Brett, to stave off the virus and manage the difficult side effects that his treatment produced. Ultimately, after living a very full life for 27 years, my son lost his battle with AIDS in 2007.

No mother should have to go through the pain of losing a child to AIDS. But just because Brett's struggle with HIV is over does not mean that I will ever stop fighting or educating others about this virus, nor should any of us.

With the medical advances available, including medicines to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, it is simply unacceptable for children to be born HIV-positive. Increased HIV testing of pregnant women, better linkages to care and treatment, and additional pediatric HIV/AIDS research are also critical to stopping the spread of HIV in children.

Today, even one child growing up with HIV/AIDS is one too many. We need to do more to ensure that children stop contracting this terrible virus.

Tell President Obama to address the unique needs of women, children, and families as part of his new National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

In memory of Brett, and other children and families like ours, we must do more to make sure women, children, and families living with HIV/AIDS are a priority.

Only together can we create a generation free of HIV.

Thanks for your support,

Marty Mitchell
Family Ambassador
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
www.pedaids.org