Our History
Jump to Year:
The foundation that began as three mothers around a kitchen table in 1988 is now the leading global nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating pediatric HIV and AIDS. Browse this timeline to learn how it happened.
Functional Cure of Mississippi Baby
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation applauds news of an infant being cured of HIV following a period of antiretroviral treatment that started within the first 30 hours of life. Announced at the 20th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Atlanta, the news is indicative of the continuing progress made by researchers and advocates in creating an AIDS-free generation. Led by researcher Deborah Persaud, winner of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Scientist award in 2005, the study followed a Mississippi infant with a confirmed HIV diagnosis who received antiretroviral medications within 30 hours following birth. Now 26 months old, the baby shows no evidence of infection and is functionally cured of HIV.
EGPAF Today
EGPAF is currently supporting more than 6,800 sites around the world. Since EGPAF's international efforts began, EGPAF-supported programs have reached nearly 17 million women with services to prevent the transmission of HIV to their babies; tested more than 15 million women for HIV; enrolled nearly two million individuals, including more than 160,000 children, into HIV care and support programs; and started more than one million individuals, including nearly 95,000 children, on antiretroviral treatment. (all data current through March 31, 2013)
Project HEART
Through the leadership and support of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation led the implementation of Project HEART (Help Expand Antiretroviral Therapy to children and families) in five countries over the past eight years. Project HEART was a groundbreaking initiative to extend life-saving HIV prevention, care, and treatment to millions of people living in sub-Saharan Africa. The Foundation launched Project HEART in 2004 in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, and in 2006 in Mozambique.
EGPAF Helps Renew PEPFAR
EGPAF helps renew the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), authorizing $48 billion in global health programs.
The Beginning of PEPFAR
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is launched, allowing EGPAF’s global work and reach to expand. Four years later, more than 25 percent of all HIV-positive pregnant women worldwide who receive medicine to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies do so through EGPAF-supported programs.
EGPAF Becomes a Part of the Global AIDS fight
EGPAF enters the global AIDS arena by beginning work to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in six countries.
Elizabeth Glaser Passes Away
Elizabeth Glaser passes away from AIDS-related illnesses. It would take another nine years, but her vision for pediatric drug research would become a reality in 2003, when the U.S. Congress passes the Pediatric Research Equity Act. This new law dramatically increases the number of drugs tested and labeled for use in children.
Elizabeth Speaks at Democratic National Convention
Elizabeth Glaser speaks at the Democratic National Convention, drawing the attention of Americans to the issues facing people living with HIV.
Magic Johnson Announces HIV Status
Professional basketball player Earvin “Magic” Johnson announces his HIV-positive status and retires from the NBA. He credits Elizabeth Glaser with giving him the courage to speak out.
The Glasers ask U.S. Congress to Provide Funding
Elizabeth and Paul Glaser ask the U.S. Congress to provide funding to test HIV drugs in children. While AZT, a promising drug treatment, had already been approved by the FDA, its potential impact on children was still unknown due to a lack of research.
Foundation Begins
After losing Ariel at age seven to AIDS-related illness, Elizabeth creates the Pediatric AIDS Foundation with her friends Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis. Their goal: Give hope to children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.
Elizabeth Glaser contracts HIV through a blood transfusion during childbirth.
Elizabeth Glaser contracts HIV through a blood transfusion during childbirth. Elizabeth and her husband Paul later learn that she unknowingly passed the virus to her children, Ariel and Jake.