This week the United Nations issued their progress report on universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, medicine and care. There has been incredible progress over the past year. A million more people gained access to antiretroviral treatment — which means there are 4 million people now on ARV treatment around the world. Also, nearly half of all HIV positive pregnant women who need treatment to help prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies during childbirth are getting it and in many countries the number of people who had access to basic HIV testing has more than doubled.

These are incredibly positive signs in our fight against AIDS and much of this progress has been made possible by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — the organization that receives (RED)™ funds. The Global Fund, along with PEPFAR, are the largest funders of ARV treatment globally. And, (RED), because of you, is the largest corporate contributor to the Global Fund.

So, thank you! Thank you for helping to generate more than $135 million for the Global Fund to invest in this fight. 100% of the money that is sent to the Global Fund from our partner companies goes directly to Global Fund financed AIDS grants in Africa and increases access to prevention programs, testing, ARV treatment and support. As you can see, this is creating real results and making a big impact.

Read more about the recent progress report at what still needs to be done at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/world/01aids.html?scp=2&sq=AIDS&st=cse