An Advocate for Ending Pediatric AIDS
Posted by
Evan Von Leer
Washington, D.C.
June 9, 2011
This week, the world commemorates the
30th anniversary of the world’s first AIDS diagnosis. In those early days of the disease, there was little hope for anyone infected – there were no medicines and no treatment.
Foundation Ambassador Florence Ngobeni-Allen and her son,
Alex. (Photo: EGPAF)
It also took years for people to recognize that children were affected by HIV, and could be infected from their mothers during pregnancy, labor, or breastfeeding.
Fast forward to today, and the story is much different. Children and adults with HIV are living long, healthy lives thanks to advances in research and treatment.
And one of the biggest success stories: Today, with the right treatment, an HIV-positive woman can give birth to an HIV-negative child.
This week, leaders and groups from around the world are
gathered at the United Nations to plan the way forward in the fight against AIDS. And today, a global plan to eliminate pediatric AIDS and keep mothers healthy
was issued by UNAIDS and the U.S. Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator.
We thought this would be a good time to hear from one of the Foundation’s Ambassadors in South Africa, who is living proof of the power to create a generation born free of HIV.
Florence from EGPAF on Vimeo.
After testing positive for HIV and losing her first child to AIDS in 1997,
Foundation Ambassador Florence Ngobeni-Allen decided to stand up and make a difference.
Florence was showcased in a short film about the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which was premiered at the UN today.
Read or watch Florence’s story, and hear in her own words how she became an advocate for other women living with HIV. She and her family are a great example of the promise of ending pediatric AIDS around the world.
*After this video was filmed, Florence and her family have welcomed their newest addition, a son named Kulani. Born in January of 2011, he has tested HIV-negative to date.
Evan Von Leer is the Online Communications Officer for the Foundation, based in Washington, D.C.