Supporting World AIDS Day on December 1st
Companies around the globe are supporting World AIDS Day on December 1. Many fashion and beauty brands are making donations to help people unite in the fight against HIV.
World AIDS Day is an annual event and it’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.
An estimated 34 million people have HIV around the world. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. According to worldaidsday.org, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment. There are laws to protect people living with HIV and globally there’s a better understanding about the virus. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds everyone that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
As part of this, many companies around the world are recognizing the day by donating a portion – or, in some cases, all – of proceeds of the sale of some items to various AIDS organizations.
The list of fashion and beauty companies contributing to the cause include:
MAC
The MAC AIDS Fund is the heart and soul of MAC Cosmetics and largest corporate funder of HIV/AIDS. Leading up to World AIDS Day, the MAC AIDS Fund is announcing its commitment to a 40 perceent increase in funding to HIV/AIDS organizations around the world in 2014.The increase brings the fund's yearly projected donation up $9.4 million to almost $42 million in 2014.
As the leading corporate funder of HIV/AIDS work, the MAC AIDS Fund has raised more than $300 million USD in the fight against HIV/AIDS since it was founded in 1994. Its funds are raised exclusively through the sale of MAC's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass, donating 100 percent of the sale price to help men, women and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide.
MAC AIDS Fund grant priorities in 2014 will be in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, lifesaving treatment and care and retention in care with a keen focus on youth-oriented programming. A large portion - $7 million - of the new funding will be targeted toward expanding treatment access in countries hardest hit by the epidemic.
Fab
At Fab, more than 50 items are being offered as a one-stop shop for (RED) products to support the cause. Giving gifts that donate to AIDS awareness feels good, so Fab is offering a range of items, including those from (RED) partners such as Jonathan Adler, Fatboy, Kidrobot and Theory. Fab is including all red-colored Fab-sourced products in the shop as well, ranging from posters, totes, and tees, to clocks, wall decor, enamel letters, tabletop and luggage. Prices range from $19 for (RED) posters to $165 for a Theory (RED) cashmere sweater. Between Dec. 1-16, a portion of net proceeds ranging from 5-50% will be donated to (RED)’s charity, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
In addition, one very special item is a rare red Josef Albers “Homage to the Square” artist’s proof print, which is being offered framed by the Josef & Anni Albers Foundation. All proceeds of the $10,000 print will be donated to (RED) to support the critical work of the Global Fund to fight AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
S’well
S’well has partnered with Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a non-profit agency co-founded by Alicia Keys. The S’well has created a limited edition KCA water bottle and 10 percent of each bottle sold will be donated back to KCA. The limited edition bottle will be sold exclusively on Swellbottle.com and keepachildalive.org. Keep a Child Alive believes that every person has the right to health care and deserves a future. The organization’s focus has been to raise global awareness about the urgent and unmet need for HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, and to grant funds to community-based organizations to provide free, life-saving treatment to keep children living with HIV from needlessly dying.
Remember, on December 1, you can also show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support.
World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for AIDS awareness and show your support for people living with HIV. If you feel inspired to hold an event, bake sale or simply sell red ribbons, click here to get started.
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