Bush asks for $30 billion more to fight AIDS

MOUNT AIRY, Md. - President Bush urged Congress on Friday to approve an additional $30 billion for the fight against AIDS worldwide over the next five years, and announced he would visit Africa early next year to further highlight the need and his administration’s efforts.
“We dedicate ourselves to a great purpose: We will turn the tide against HIV/AIDS — once and for all,” Bush said. “I look forward to seeing the results of America’s generosity.”
Bush chose the gymnasium at the Calvary United Methodist Church in this tiny western Maryland town to make his remarks. The church supports a Christian group home and school in Namibia for children orphaned by the disease. Before speaking, he met with representatives from churches and other religious groups that have been fighting AIDS, part of his attempt to highlight his belief that faith-based organizations are the beEvangelical Christians, who make up a large and influential portion of Bush’s political support, have been key to his policies increasing U.S. involvement in the fight against AIDS, particularly in Africa. Bush has been said to believe that the United States, and his administration, do not get enough credit for the work being done on the issue.
“Every year American taxpayers send billions of their hard-earned dollars overseas to save the lives of people they have never met,” he said.
But “in return for this extra generosity, Americans expect results,” the president said, adding that his program demands measurable progress, accountability and the involvement of local partners. The result: The number of people in sub-Saharan Africa receiving treatment for AIDS has gone from 50,000 five years ago to nearly 1.4 million now.
“We have pioneered a new model for public health,” Bush said. “So far, the results have been striking.”st vehicles for such work.

Emotion for those infected with HIV/AIDS

"The medical advancements the Foundation has funded and supported throughout the years have created an irrepressible new emotion for those infected with HIV/AIDS: Hope. All over the United States and around the world, adults and children are learning to live with the mental and physical effects of this life-shattering disease, and they're doing so with strength and grace. Learn about the various ways HIV/AIDS influences daily life from firsthand accounts written by friends of the Foundation. We wouldn't be surprised if their stories inspire you to join in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS and illness."

December 1 is World AIDS Day

a day to show support for the millions of people who are living with HIV/AIDS, and to renew our commitment to prevent the spread of HIV and find a cure.

The Foundation is involved in a variety of World AIDS Day activities, seeking to raise awareness and advance the fight against pediatric AIDS. But we can't do it alone. Fourteen-year-old Rose Mbiriire lives with her aunt and uncle in Lwanda, a village in central Uganda. Rose is a strong student at Jinja Secondary School with aspirations to become a doctor. But life has not always been easy for Rose.

Rose’s birth mother learned she was HIV-positive when Rose was a baby, and Rose’s father left the family. Her mother died when Rose was one year old. After her mother’s death, Rose’s 16-year-old maternal aunt, Milly, took Rose to the family home in a nearby village, where they still live. Rose grew up believing Milly was her mother.

While Milly was away studying at university, she got word from her brother that Rose was extremely sick with malaria. Milly rushed to Rose’s side, and although Rose survived the bout of malaria, she continued to get sicker. After repeatedly being turned away from local organizations for HIV testing, Milly took Rose to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, for testing. Rose was indeed HIV-positive and she was immediately put on treatment.

For the first time in months, Rose was able to sleep through the night without crying in pain. Milly felt a wave of relief, but she still had a large hurdle to jump — disclosing to Rose that not only was Rose HIV-positive, but also that Milly was not her real mother.

Milly registered Rose in the Ariel Children’s Club, a club for HIV-positive children formed by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, but Rose had to know her HIV status in order to attend the club meetings. Milly was still hesitant to tell Rose the truth, even though Rose and her classmates at school already suspected. Rose suffered daily tormenting by her classmates, who called her “slim” — the local word for AIDS.

The turning point came when Rose was invited to be a participant in the Foundation’s first Ariel Children’s Camp — a three-day camp for HIV-positive children — in December 2006. Knowing that Rose could not participate in the camp unless she was aware of her HIV status, Milly finally found the courage to tell Rose the truth. Rose accepted the news very well and was a camper at the Ariel Children’s Camp three weeks later.

After meeting other children at the camp who were HIV-positive, Rose felt relieved that she was not the only child with the disease. She was able to laugh and make friends again. She came home from the camp a much happier child.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation pays for Rose’s secondary school fees with funds from the Lloyd Foundation. Rose looks forward to a career as the Ariel Children’s Camp doctor.

Take action to prevent pediatric AIDS

"The medical advancements the Foundation has funded and supported throughout the years have created an irrepressible new emotion for those infected with HIV/AIDS: Hope. All over the United States and around the world, adults and children are learning to live with the mental and physical effects of this life-shattering disease, and they're doing so with strength and grace. Learn about the various ways HIV/AIDS influences daily life from firsthand accounts written by friends of the Foundation. We wouldn't be surprised if their stories inspire you to join in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS and illness."