Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. You can view past posts from the series here.
Did you know that an HIV+ mother can give birth to a HIV free child? This is one of the facts I learned at a breakfast with Courtney and Chanelle of (RED) while in New York for the Social Good Summit.
Founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver, (RED) was established to to get businesses and people involved in the fight against AIDS. (RED) merged with ONE.org last year. While ONE.org deals with the public sector, (RED) is in the private sector providing a sustainable flow of money to fight AIDS.
You may be familiar with (RED) products and events. Apple and Starbucks are two examples of iconic companies that partner with (RED). You can buy a (PRODUCT)RED case for your iPhone. On December 1, World AIDS Day, Starbucks will be donating $0.10 for every espresso sold.
Over coffee and eggs, I learned that no overhead is taken out of donations made through (RED). All funds go to The Global Fund. Over $215 million has been raised to date through the sale of (RED) products and (RED) events. This money has impacted 14 million people and is focused in countries that have highest amount of AIDS impacted communities.
The (RED) model is simple. When consumers like us buy (RED) products, a donation is made on behalf of the company that makes the product (like Apple). Each company has its own contract with The Global Fund, so the percentages may vary. (RED) doesn’t actually touch any of the money.
And (RED) products cost the same as non-(RED) products. The only difference is that up to 50% of profits made from those sales will go to fight AIDS in Africa.
photo via ONE.org
I learned a lot during our breakfast conversation, like how 2/3 of those affected by AIDS are in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and 900 children die of AIDS every day on the continent.
By the end of my meal, it became apparent to me that these statistics were preventable. That an AIDS free generation is possible. In a follow up email, this story was shared with me:
(RED) first met Motselisi in the rural Nyakosoba Village in Lesotho when she was 11 months old, frail and weak without access to medication. Motselisi was put on anti-retroviral (ARV) medicine, and 90 days later, she had been brought back to life and was a healthy, happy baby. Hers is a true story of the Lazarus Effect and the life-saving power of HIV/AIDS treatment, treatment that costs around 40 cents a day in sub-Saharan Africa.
Did you catch that? The medicine that treats someone with HIV or prevents an HIV+ mom from passing the virus to her baby costs $0.40 / day.
Buying (RED) products makes a difference. So does using your voice, raising awareness, tweeting facts and telling these stories.
Take action to fight AIDS:
Have you purchased a (RED) product?
this post was also published on pplkind.com
It’s incomprehensible to me that we could live in an AIDS free world – but that what prevents this is the misappropriation of funds. We are one world – we need to learn how to spread knowledge and moneys and resources more evenly. Period. Thanks for the education on this one.
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I totally agree, Ilene. There are problems everywhere that have easy solutions to them. Why wouldn’t we work together to solve them?
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I remember learning about HIV/AIDS in health class in middle & high school, and how scary it seemed. They have come so far in the treatment/prevention of it; there is no reason that any child in the world should be born with it. I have definitely seen (RED) products, but I never really knew what they meant until now. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
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I’ve seen the products before too, but I didn’t know the story behind them or how much of an impact they have made. It’s amazing to me that we can control, or even eradicate, diseases in some parts of the world but thousands die in others. It was so great to learn more from (RED).
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I do purchase (RED) products often! Like shirts for the family, and gift cards. Motselisi’s photos are striking. So are the statistics.
Tamara recently posted..Celebrating The Little Things In Life.
That’s awesome, Tamara. I didn’t know much about (RED) before I met with them. I’ll definitely be seeking out their products now.
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WOW. .40 cents a day… just wow. I am going to go look for (RED) products now…
Chris Carter recently posted..Moms On The Internet
Seems easy to give when you hear that number, doesn’t it?
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I love, love, love (RED) and I purchase their products every single time I have the opportunity. FORTY CENTS A DAY. Wow. We can do this, people. We’ve got to! –Lisa
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That’s great, Lisa. And I agree, we have to do more.
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I don’t think I have bought a red product yet or if I have I don’t remember. I had absolutely no idea that the medications needed were only 40 cents a day, it makes me want to donate!
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Amazing, isn’t it? This is why I love learning about this stuff. It’s so easy to make a difference!
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The 11 month picture is so surreal. It gives me chills. It’s so nice to see her healthy three months later!
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The pictures are incredible. So happy to see such success stories. We need more!
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Personally I am so thrilled when I see companies that support philanthropy in the private sector. It definitely makes me want to buy from them!
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I agree, Michelle. There are some companies making a big difference with philanthropy. It’s refreshing to see.
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Thank you so much for this post. There are so many ways to make a difference – through advocacy, a purchase, awareness, education – you captured that beautifully here.
Thanks so much for inviting me to the lunch, Jeannine. It was such a pleasure meeting you and hanging out with you for a few days!
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