New Jerseyans ask Congress to support global HIV/AIDS fight

WASHINGTON – In one week, three New Jersey women will head to Capitol Hill to urge Congress to support the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, a life-saving global HIV/AIDS-fighting program.

“PEPFAR is a beacon of hope and a shining example of the power of bipartisan action to tackle big challenges,” said Maryam Donnelly, of Dover. “25 million lives saved from HIV/AIDS over the last 20 years is an achievement all Americans can be proud of.”

Donnelly will travel to Washington with her teenage daughter Lexi, who is also a ONE activist. The mother-daughter duo hope to bring attention to another one of PEPFAR’s achievements: a stunning reduction in HIV transmission from mothers to children.

“PEPFAR’s achievements are worthy of celebration but the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over,” said Barb Barrar, of Magnolia, who has been a ONE volunteer since the organization was founded in 2004. “Senators Booker and Menendez, Representatives Norcross and Sherrill, and their fellow members of Congress must maintain our incredible legacy of leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS by reauthorizing PEPFAR this year.”

Background: 

Barrar, the Donnellys, and 100 other delegates from the ONE Campaign will head to Capitol Hill on June 6 as part of the ONE Power Summit.

Established in 2003 under President George W. Bush, PEPFAR has helped save 25 million lives from HIV/AIDS, help 64.7 million people access HIV testing, and ensure more than 5.5 million babies were born HIV-free. Since its inception, the US has invested more than $100 billion in PEPFAR – the largest commitment by any nation to fight a single disease in history.

Senator Bob Menendez joined a bipartisan Congressional delegation that visited PEPFAR sites in South Africa earlier this year.

According to analysis from the ONE Campaign, the Garden State has helped PEPFAR:

• Save 905,337 lives since 2003
• Provide 720,096 people with life-saving antiretroviral drugs
• Ensure 120,712 babies were born HIV-free.

Watch: The story of PEPFAR.

About The ONE Campaign:

ONE is a global organization campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. We are nonpartisan and pressure governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empower citizens to hold their governments to account. Read more at www.one.org.

###