The Lazarus Effect

(Red) The Lazarus Effect

In the Bible, in the Gospel of John, Jesus raises a man named Lazarus from the dead, in in essence that's what ARV drugs are doing for people with AIDS.  These survivors are examples of what is being hailed as "The Lazarus Effect".

~Dedicated to providing life saving drugs to Africans with AIDS~

This program would not be possible without the efforts of foundations such as the "Global Fund" who gets most of its financing from world governments....but a growing portion is now coming from Western retailers.

The idea behind (Red) is simple: Participating companies which currently include American Express, Apple, Armani, Gap, Motorola and Converse (a subsidiary of Nike), sell (Red)-branded products. Forty percent of the gross profits from those sales to go providing free ARVs to Africans with AIDS.

Buy a $170 pair of sunglasses and save the world?  What a concept.

From the website Joinred.com:

Red is not a charity.  It is simply a business model. You buy (Red) stuff, we get the money, buy the pills and distribute them. They take the pills, continue to stay alive and take care of their families and contribute socially and economically to their communities.  If they don't get the pills, they die. We don't want them to die. We want to give them the pills and we can. And you can. It's easy. 

"As first-world consumers, we have tremendous power. What we collectively choose to buy, or not to buy, can change the course of life and history on the planet."

Approximately 30 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are HIV positive but widespread poverty prevents the majority of them from receiving the anti-retroviral drugs that have improved life for millions who are living with the disease.  On Monday, May 24th HBO premiered "The Lazarus Effect", a documentary by Lance Bangs, that follows four HIV-positive Zambia residents and shows how treatment has changed their lives.

Thanks to the efforts of non-profit organizations, ARVs have become much cheaper to obtain, dropping from $27 day in 2002 to about 40 cents per day today.

I realize that this program is over a half an hour long and you might not have time to watch it. I think they did a great job on it, so if you do happen to have some spare time, I encourage you to check it out.  

I just have to say that this program is amazing considering my post from a few days ago and the growing concern that the funding is running out for all of the many programs in Africa that are helping those with HIV.  

I'm going to start thinking more about where my money is going....

Maybe I could be helping to save a life!

Where is your money going?

Have a great day....

Wendy