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Corporate Leaders, Government Officials and AIDS Experts Join HIV-Infected Youth in First-of-Its-Kind International Videoconference

Posted on: Thursday, 1 December 2005, 12:00 CST

NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate leaders, government officials and experts in pediatric AIDS joined HIV-infected young people, including Elizabeth Glaser's son Jake Glaser, in "Caring Across Continents," a live videoconference to bridge the gap between American and Ugandan youth living with HIV/AIDS. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson and hosted by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the first-of-its-kind international exchange was moderated by Cynthia McFadden, co-anchor of ABC News "Nightline." U.S. Congressmen Donald Payne (NJ-12) and Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Foundation co-founder Susie Zeegen also participated in the World AIDS Day event at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

"The theme of World AIDS Day this year is about keeping the promise of a full, healthy life to children everywhere, whether they live in New Jersey or Uganda," said Zeegen. "These courageous young people represent the faces and the stories of hope. They remind us what is possible if we work together to save the next generation."

Dr. Jim Oleske, one of the first pediatricians to diagnose HIV/AIDS in children, and Dr. Cathy Wilfert, a worldwide leader in prevention of mother- to-child transmission of HIV, highlighted many of the advancements that nearly eliminated infant infections in the United States.

"But despite this progress," Dr. Wilfert said, "access to services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV are reaching less than 10 percent of women who need them throughout the world and over 1,900 children a day are newly infected with the virus. We must continue to focus on critical challenges, including expansion of prevention programs in the developing world and access to therapy for infected children and their families."

The cornerstone of the event was the exchange between the two panels of youth, who candidly discussed the realities of living with HIV in both the United States and in Africa.

"We are at an important crossroads in battle against AIDS," said Foundation spokesperson Jake Glaser. "There as so many who still suffer greatly, and are counting on you and me. But it's not good enough to fight off hopes and dreams alone. We need real solutions. And we need to get those solutions to the people that need them most. It is my job and all of yours to make it happen."

At the conclusion of "Caring Across Continents" the Foundation launched an initiative to continue its groundbreaking collection of "Stories of Hope" from young people all over the world affected by HIV/AIDS. The stories will be published on the Foundation's Web site to inspire hope and highlight the remaining challenges in the fight against pediatric AIDS. To read more "Stories of Hope" or learn about the Foundation's research and international programs, visit http://www.pedaids.org/.

Featured speakers include: Newark Panel Jake Glaser

As spokesperson for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Jake Glaser, 21, travels around the country to raise awareness and resources to fight HIV/AIDS. He acquired the virus through mother-to-child transmission after his mother Elizabeth Glaser received a blood transfusion while giving birth to her daughter Ariel. Although Elizabeth and Ariel lost their battles to AIDS, Jake has grown into a healthy young adult and currently works to carry on his mother's legacy.

Ionel Belfiore

Ionel Belfiore, now 16, was born in Constanta, Romania. When he tested positive for HIV at age one, government authorities placed him in an orphanage. After seeing a television special on children living in Romanian orphanages, American Susan Belfiore traveled from her home in New Jersey to Romania to help. One year later, Bill and Susan Belfiore adopted Ionel, along with Ramona, Loredana, and Mihaela, who are also HIV positive. Another son, Aidan, was born several years later. Ionel lives with his family in New Jersey and is on his high school swim team.

Ricky Webster

Ricky Webster is 16 years old and lives in Lebanon, New Jersey with his family. Born HIV-positive, Ricky was adopted by the Webster family after his birth mother was unable to care for him. Ricky has grown up to be a typical teenager and is now a sophomore in high school. He plays basketball, break dances, and has an upcoming rap CD.

Shanti Santana

Shanti Santana is 21 years old and lives in Newark, New Jersey. Shanti is the proud mother of a two-year-old son, Jalen. With the help of drug interventions designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission, Jalen was born HIV-negative. These days, Shanti keeps busy by attending school, working full time, and running after Jalen with the help of her grandmother.

Kampala Panel Josephine Nabukenya

Josephine Nabukenya is a 12 year-old HIV-positive pediatric AIDS advocate from Kampala, Uganda. Josephine is the chairperson of the Young Positive Generation, which brings HIV-positive children together. Earlier this year, Josephine testified at an Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. entitled "What About Us?: Children's Battle to Access Treatment." At the Foundation's Call to Action meeting in October 2004, Josephine appeared in front of various dignitaries, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, to recite a poem she had written about the AIDS virus. Josephine currently attends school at Kasubi Church of Uganda.

Rehema Mukisa

Rehema Mukisa lives with her husband and their two children outside of Kampala, Uganda. When she was pregnant with her second child, Rehema participated in a program to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV at Mulago Hospital. Testing revealed that she was HIV-positive. However, with the help of drugs designed to prevent transmission of the virus from mothers to children, she gave birth to an HIV-negative daughter, Latifah.

Carol Nagawa

Twelve-year-old Carol Nagawa lives in the suburbs of Kampala, Uganda with her mother and two older sisters. After her father passed away, Carol became very ill and testing revealed that she was HIV-positive. Carol began HIV care and treatment over three years ago through the International Leadership Award program, sponsored by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and her health has improved tremendously.

Charles Kinganda

Charles Kinganda is twelve years old and lives in the suburbs of Kampala, Uganda, with his parents and his younger sister. Charles, along with his mother and sister, discovered that they were HIV- positive last year. His mother is enrolled in care and treatment programs through the MU-JHU research program and his three-year-old sister through the International Leadership Award Program for treatment. Charles has had an active role in helping take care of his mother and sister in the past year.

About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is the worldwide leader in the fight against pediatric AIDS and other serious and life-threatening diseases affecting children. Our innovative research programs, collaborative training initiatives, advocacy efforts, and rapidly expanding international programs are bringing dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

CONTACT: Ashley Wolfington, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation,+1-202-246-1079 (cell), ashley@pedaids.org

Web site: http://www.pedaids.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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