One of Orlando’s newest and most iconic landmarks – the Amway Center Tower – will be illuminated red to mark World AIDS Day on Wednesday, December 1st and to raise awareness of the commitment of the global health community to work together to virtually eliminate the transmission of HIV from mother to child by 2015.
Orlando is one of more than 30 major cities in the United States that will light their most distinctive landmarks in red, joining New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle and others. The lightings will highlight the attainable goal of ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015, creating the first generation of babies born HIV-free in 30 years. Despite the fact that HIV/AIDS is preventable and treatable, UNAIDS statistics published last week estimate 370,000 children are infected with the disease, down from 430,000 in 2008. About 90% of these babies are born in sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition to the landmark lightings, (RED) partners Starbucks and Dell will make special added contributions to the Global Fund from purchases made on and during the week of World AIDS Day. Starbucks will contribute 5 cents/5 p for every handcrafted beverage purchased in participating stores in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland on December 1; Dell will be doubling their contributions on (PRODUCT)RED™ items in the U.S. and the U.K. for the full week of November 29 – December 3. Converse will also be recognizing World AIDS Day, by turning their newly launched flagship retail stores on Newbury Street in Boston and in SoHo in New York City (RED).
Since its launch in 2006, (RED) partners and events have generated $160 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, supporting HIV and AIDS programs in Africa that have reached more than 5 million people with testing, counseling, medication and services. For more information on (RED), please visit www.joinred.com.
WHAT:
Amway Center Tower to be Illuminated (RED) for World AIDS Day
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 30 at 11:59 p.m. EST to Wednesday, December 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST
WHERE:
The Tower at the Amway Center – 400 West Church Street
To recognize World AIDS Day and raise awareness, the Florida Department of Health created the We Make The Change Virtual Memorial—a digital AIDS memorial that serves as a remembrance for those who have died from the disease.
Florida residents can add a loved one to the virtual memorial by visiting WeMaketheChange.com/WorldAIDSDay. A panel will be added to the quilt including: the person’s name, birth year and year of death, and a 100-character message.
Those who are on Twitter can further show their support for World AIDS Day by putting a red overlay on their Twitter icon. Just click the application button on WeMaketheChange.com/WorldAIDSDay.