YNOT – According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization and UNICEF, AIDS killed an estimated 25 million people between 1981 and 2007. In 2010, the most recent year for which figures are available, nearly 35.2 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS, 3.8 million of them children. Almost 3 million new HIV/AIDS infections were diagnosed in 2010 alone, and 1.9 million deaths worldwide were attributed to the disease that year.
World AIDS Day, observed every Dec. 1 since 1988, is dedicated to raising awareness of AIDS and HIV. The day is organized and promoted internationally by UNAIDS.
In recognition of World AIDS Day, Next Door Entertainment will donate a percentage of Dec. 1’s website sales to the Until There’s A Cure foundation. In addition, the company will add a “donate now” message to all of its websites to encourage surfers to make contributions of their own.
Since 1993, Until There’s A Cure has worked to put an end to HIV/AIDS by raising funds and awareness. The charitable foundation is based in Redwood City, Calif.
“We are proud to once again provide awareness and support for our friends at Until There’s A Cure,” said Next Door Entertainment President Stephan Sirard. “Their message and campaigns about the importance of getting tested and knowing your status is something we fully support.”
A list of participating websites is here.
In addition to the fundraising activities, Next Door plans to distribute a special AIDS-awareness public-service video offering informative facts and HIV/AIDS prevention advice. The video features some of Next Door Studio’s most popular performers encouraging their fans to get tested regularly and remain aware of their HIV status.
