We Need Your Support for Critical Global AIDS Funding

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Dear Friends,

We are at a critical point in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, one in which our commitment to the battle against AIDS is more important than ever. With over 40 million people living with HIV around the world, including over 2.3 million children, we need to continue to increase resources from Congress in order to combat this disease of historic proportions. That’s where your voice comes in.

Today, critical funding for global AIDS is at serious risk. The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are poised to make billions of dollars in cuts to significant AIDS programs. While we recognize that Congress faces an extremely tight budget environment, if we are to drastically turn the tide against AIDS, it is absolutely crucial to aggressively fund international AIDS programs.

In September 2005, Josephine testified at a Congressional briefing on pediatric AIDS.

The lives of children like Josephine Nabukenya, age 12, depend on it. Growing up HIV-positive in Uganda forced Josephine to not only take on the burden of her own disease, but also the responsibilities of caring for her mother, who -- like the rest of Josephine’s family -- was very sick from AIDS. Now, through support from the U.S. government, Josephine gets critical medical care and her mother receives the essential AIDS medicines she needs. Today, Josephine’s mother is back at work, and Josephine is flourishing into a healthy young girl – going to school, playing, and even leading a child support group that brings children with HIV/AIDS together.

You can help ensure children around the world, like Josephine, continue to receive the help they need to fight HIV/AIDS. Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rick Santorum (R-PA), and Richard Durbin (D-IL) have written a letter to their colleagues in the Senate urging them not to cut critical funding for medical treatment and essential AIDS drugs for women, children, and families in need. Please contact your own senator today and urge him or her to support AIDS funding by signing this important letter.

Thank you!