Dear Mae,

Time is running out for thousands of women, children, and families living with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

We need your help -- today.

Please tell Congress to support critical HIV/AIDS care and treatment services by renewing the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program.

The services under the Ryan White program provide a critical link to women and children living with HIV/AIDS, whose health depends on the medical care and support services the program provides.

For some HIV-positive children, like Alee Meredith and her younger brother Mitchell, access to medical care to treat HIV is a matter of life and death. The two siblings contracted HIV at birth, when their mother unknowingly passed the virus to her children. Today, Alee and Mitchell are fortunate to have access to good doctors and medical care -- and are in school, active, and healthy -- and keeping the progression of HIV at bay.

But for thousands of other HIV-positive children, quality care and medical treatment is not easily accessible. Many children and families turn to the services provided by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program as a last resort in the fight against this deadly disease -- and without this medical care and support, far too many families risk losing access to critical HIV/AIDS services that keep them alive.

These essential services will end abruptly at the end of this month unless Congress reauthorizes the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program.

But you can help.

Tell Congress to support women, children, and families living with HIV/AIDS and reauthorize the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program.

For many families living with HIV/AIDS, the consequences of political inaction could cost them their lives.

Send a message to Congress today and urge your senator to support critical HIV/AIDS services.

Only together can we make a real difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Thanks for your support,

Elizabeth Penniman
Vice President of Public Policy, Advocacy, and Communications
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
www.pedaids.org