Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is working with Yahoo to raise awareness of the global HIV/AIDS crisis through the “Light to Unite” initiative on World AIDS Day.
The Company will sponsor the front pages of Yahoo.com and eight other Yahoo! global sites, including the UK/Ireland, France, Germany, Australia/New Zealand, Singapore, Korea, Brazil, and Yahoo! en Espanol, in an effort to recognize those impacted by HIV/AIDS and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s global commitment to fight the epidemic. Bristol-Myers Squibb has also committed to be an exclusive sponsor of the HIV/AIDS Resource Center at Yahoo! Health, which provides valuable information about the history, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Through the “Light to Unite” campaign, people across the globe are encouraged to add a virtual flame to the world map through Yahoo or by visiting LightToUnite.org.
World AIDS Day, an annual global event on December 1, is dedicated to remembering the people who have died from AIDS, learning more about the devastating effects of the disease around the world, and reaffirming the commitment to fight it.
“Light to Unite” participants can continue adding a virtual flame to the fight against HIV/AIDS until midnight EST, December 1 and there is no limit to the number of times an individual can log on. The NBC Astrovision by Panasonic video screen in New York’s Times Square will feature hourly updates for the growing support on the “Light to Unite” global map from noon to midnight on December 1.
“We encourage people across the globe to help raise awareness of the fight against HIV/AIDS by logging on to LightToUnite.org,” said Ron Cooper, senior vice president, Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology. “Because HIV/AIDS is such a critical health issue, Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to helping lead the global fight against the pandemic every day through its support of the HIV/AIDS community and compassion for people living with HIV/AIDS.”
“As an online destination for more than 300 million people around the world, the Yahoo network provides Bristol-Myers Squibb with an ideal platform for reaching a mass global audience with a singular message of awareness about this critical health issue.” said Jack Barrette, category development officer for pharmaceutical, Yahoo. “The sponsorship of Yahoo! Health in the United States will help extend the ‘Light to Unite’ campaign to a targeted audience interested in finding more information about HIV/AIDS.”
According to the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, AIDS has claimed more than 20 million lives worldwide since the first cases were diagnosed in 1981 — 2.9 million in 2003 alone. It is estimated that more than 37 million people were infected with HIV in 2003. Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst-affected region, with approximately two-thirds of all HIV-infected persons in the world living there. In the U.S., nearly 950,000 Americans are living with HIV, with 40,000 new infections every year.
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