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Milestone: AHF Now Treating 100,000 Patients Worldwide
April 8, 2009 - AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is proud to announce that, in a major milestone in its mission to provide
cutting-edge medicine and advocacy regardless of a person's ability to pay, it has recently surpassed the 100,000 patient mark worldwide. The organization
is now providing lifesaving medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 patients in 21 countries through 68 clinics worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia.
"I am honored and humbled to announce that AHF has accomplished a major milestone in its history: We are now providing free HIV/AIDS treatment and
care services to more than 100,000 people worldwide," said, Michael Weinstein, AHF's President. "In the five years since AHF declared its pledge to try and reach 100,000 people globally,
I have been amazed at the growth we have been able to achieve. To our dedicated partners and collaborators around the world, I wish to personally thank the entire AHF family for their dedication and commitment to helping save so many lives."
In addition to operating sixteen free HIV/AIDS healthcare centers in the U.S. (in California and Florida), AHF also provides services in
Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Uganda, Ukraine, Viet Nam and Zambia.
"I am so proud of each and every member of the AHF team for this accomplishment and for demonstrating that 'Yes We Can' help 100,000 people globally to stay alive and in good health.
We have reached this remarkable milestone together through our collective efforts," added Chief of Global Affairs, Jorge Saavedra M.D. "That this achievement has been possible in such a short time period is
testament to the spirit and perseverance of so many at AHF who have worked countless hours toward this goal. It is this same spirit that will keep AHF forging ahead - as we continue to expand our reach and work toward saving even more and more lives."
AHF began operations in 1987 as the AIDS Hospice Foundation by a group of activists in response to the urgent need to provide hospice services to patients dying of AIDS on the streets of Los Angeles. By July 1990, the organization had changed its
name to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation as the need for ongoing medical care for HIV/AIDS patients grew. When the advent of lifesaving antiretroviral medications ushered in a treatment revolution in 1996, AHF began supplying these medications to patients for free
without guarantee of reimbursement and at great financial risk. In 2002, at the invitation of local South African activists, AHF opened its fist free HIV/AIDS clinic outside the U.S. in this hard-hit country. In 2004, AHF declared its pledge to reach 100,000 people
with its services. In 2009, AHF has reached this major milestone in its evolution, now saving more than 100,000 lives through 68 clinics in 21 countries on five continents.
Added Weinstein: "As an expert in the delivery of HIV/AIDS medical care and an influential advocate, AHF will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to control AIDS globally.
Only when HIV is eradicated from the globe will we have fully met our goal."
About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US' largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 80,000 individuals in 22 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org
Contact:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
UNITED STATES
Ged Kenslea,
Communications Director, AHF
(323) 860-5225 work,
(323) 791-5526 mobile
gedk@aidshealth.org
or
Lori Yeghiayan,
Associate Director of Communications, AHF
(323) 860-5227 work,
(323) 377-4312 mobile
lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org
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