Annual Carnival Raises $1.5 Million for Foundation
One thousand guests came out to Join the Moment at the 16th annual Kids For Kids Family Carnival, held October 24 at Industria Superstudio in New York City. The afternoon of activities, food, and fun brought together families affected by HIV/AIDS, sports and entertainment stars, and Foundation supporters, raising nearly $1.5 million to help eradicate pediatric HIV and AIDS. Read more.
Foundation Programs are Living Proof
Kevin Kouassi was desperately ill the night his father carried him to Foundation-supported Centre NDA health clinic in Dimbokro, Côte d'Ivoire. Today, thanks to his father and the HIV care and treatment he received at the clinic, Kevin is thriving and counseling others living with HIV. This powerful story is the subject of A Father and Son Love Story, a new short film from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Living Proof Project. Watch Kevin's inspiring story.
Ambassadors Speak Out at National HIV/AIDS Community Events
Foundation Ambassadors Marty Mitchell, Ben Banks, Cristina Pena, Linda and Cameron Siemers, and Julie Jones Barnes raised their voices on behalf of women and children living with HIV and AIDS at five HIV/AIDS community discussions held earlier this fall to highlight the development of a National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The town hall-style events hosted by the White House were designed to give local residents, activists, and members of the community an opportunity to offer their input on the development of a national plan to address the growing domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic. Read about Ben's experience, and find out how you can be a voice for children with HIV/AIDS.
Basketball Stars Visit Uganda
Forty children from the Foundation's Ariel Clubs in Uganda learned to dribble, pass, and shoot like the pros when American basketball stars Jason Maxiell and Nykesha Sales hosted a special basketball workshop in Kampala earlier this fall. The kids, all members of Foundation support groups for young people living with HIV, spent a day shooting hoops and sharing their stories with the stars, who were visiting as part of a program to promote leadership, education, and awareness of HIV. See pictures and read more.
Ruby Slippers Raise $25,000
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and CRYSTALLIZEDTM - Swarovski Elements invited the world's top shoe designers to reinterpret Dorothy's iconic ruby slippers for modern times. After a year-long tour of more than 20 destinations around the world, the Collection was auctioned off to benefit the Foundation—raising more than $25,000 to support our lifesaving work! Read more.