As the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
marks its 20th anniversary, we renew our commitment to eradicating pediatric
AIDS and helping those already infected with HIV. Here’s a snapshot of
how far we’ve come, from our founding to today, in pursuit of our ultimate
goal: creating a generation free of HIV.
THEN : Every year, more than 2,000 children were born with HIV in the
United States.
NOW: About 100 children per year are born with HIV in the United States.
THEN: Three mothers around a kitchen table created
a foundation dedicated to bringing hope to children with AIDS.
NOW: With close to 800 employees and a presence in 18 countries around
the world, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global
leader in the fight against pediatric AIDS. Through its dedication to
funding critical research and training, influencing public policy through
advocacy, and launching and supporting global health initiatives to provide
care and treatment and prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT),
the Foundation is ensuring every child has a chance at a long, healthy
life—just like Elizabeth Glaser’s son, Jake, who is now 24.
THEN: No significant efforts were being made
to halt the exploding AIDS epidemic in the developing world.
NOW: The Foundation began its Call to Action project to help extend the
remarkable successes combating HIV and AIDS in the U.S. to elsewhere
in the world. It provides lifesaving services in more than 3,600 sites
internationally, working to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV
and give children who live with the virus a chance for a healthy future.
As of September 30, 2008, the Foundation has provided more than 6.3 million
women with services to help prevent transmission of HIV from mothers
to babies. More than 570,000 individuals, including more than 46,000
children, have been enrolled into our care and support programs, and
300,000 individuals have begun antiretroviral treatment (ART), including
more than 23,000 children under the age of 15.
THEN: Few people understood how HIV affected
children, and no research was being conducted specifically focusing on
pediatric AIDS.
NOW: To date, the Foundation has awarded $77 million in funding to more
than 1,100 research projects focused on preventing HIV transmission,
creating a pediatric HIV vaccine, training researchers and healthcare
workers, and maximizing the impact and effectiveness of global HIV/AIDS
programs.
THEN: HIV drugs used by adults were not tested
in children, and few medicines and interventions were specifically available
for kids.
NOW: The Foundation’s tenacious advocacy efforts have
resulted in legislation that has expanded the participation of children
in cutting-edge clinical research, significantly increased the number
of drugs tested and labeled for children, and improved care for families
affected by HIV in the U.S. The Foundation played a key role in the enactment
of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act,
the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA), the Pediatric Research
Equity Act (PREA), and the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act
of 2007.
THEN: The Foundation’s efforts were due to private contributions from
a small number of caring individuals.
NOW: Funding for programs comes from a diversity of sources, including
private donations, the U.S. government, international organizations,
foundations, and corporations. In 2007, the Foundation spent $101 million
in support of its efforts in the global fight against AIDS. It is the
single largest provider of PMTCT services under the President’s Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as a major provider of pediatric
treatment. |