December 1 is World AIDS Day and it’s an extremely important day for us here at LS&Co. We’ve been longtime supporters of AIDS/HIV advocacy and we’ve encouraged education at a company-wide level since 1982, when news of the disease became public knowledge.
During that time, our company leaders courageously distributed vital information and resources about HIV and AIDS to employees, when much of the dialogue surrounding the disease was marked by misinformation and fear. We’ve made it our priority to provide employee resources and HIV/AIDS education company-wide, from testing and education to our Worldwide HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy.
Of course, a lot has changed in thirty-two years. Incredible medical and technological breakthroughs have brought us closer to a cure, but we still have important work to do. That’s why here at LS&Co., we want to make sure we end HIV/AIDS in our lifetime—and we want to do everything we can to make that happen!
In 2014, HIV/AIDS advocacy, philanthropy, and education remains one of our most vital initiatives. LS&Co.’s Employee HIV/AIDS Program provides access to HIV education, treatment and care for our employees and their families. Our Community Involvement Teams (CITs) are dedicated to volunteering, fundraising, and HIV/AIDS education in the community beyond LS&Co. And, since 1983, the Levi Strauss Foundation has dedicated more than $60 million in grants to HIV/AIDS organizations in more than 40 countries around the world.
While we’ve come a long way in the battle against HIV/AIDS, an estimated 34 million people are currently living with HIV around the globe. More than 35 million people have died from the disease. Today, let’s unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS and resolve to end the pandemic, once and for all.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to volunteer, give back, and learn more about the progress being made against HIV/AIDS. Be sure to visit AIDS.gov, where you’ll find comprehensive information about HIV/AIDS advocacy events taking place all over the world, including a live-broadcast event at the White House scheduled for today at noon/9:00 am PT.
The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation.” Today, as we reflect on how far we’ve come and strengthen our resolve to eradicate HIV/AIDS for a new generation, let’s unite and stand in solidarity with everyone who has been affected by this disease.
We’ll be taking action here at LS&Co., both at a company-level and in our communities. Together, we can all work to end HIV/AIDS in our lifetime, forever.
