Sunday May 11 is Mother’s Day and it seems to me, although not a mother myself, the right time to take a moment to learn about, not only to the challenges of women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa, but to the stories of strength, hope and courage as well.

First, some facts.

 Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 15 million children have been orphaned as a result of AIDS. More than 12 million of these children live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is currently estimated that 9% of all children have lost at least one parent to AIDS.  By 2010, it is predicted that there will be around 15.7 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa. The number of orphans in some Sub-Saharan African countries exceeds half a million, and, in some countries, children who have been orphaned by AIDS comprise half or more of all orphans nationally (Source: UNAIDS, 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic).

Another tragic consequence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Mother to child transmission occurs when an HIV positive woman passes the virus to her baby. Mother to child transmission is the primary means by which young children become infected with HIV.  Mother to child transmission of HIV can occur during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and after birth through breast feeding.

Approximately 15-40% of children born to HIV positive mothers become infected.  Without treatment, around 15-30% of babies born to HIV-positive women will become infected with HIV during pregnancy and delivery. A further 10-20% will become infected through breastfeeding. Current evidence suggests that most of maternal-infant HIV transmission occurs late in pregnancy or during labor and delivery.  HIV transmission from an infected mother to her baby is estimated to be 21-43% in the less developed countries, with more than half of the transmission probably occurring late in pregnancy or during labor and delivery. (Source: UNAIDS, 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic).

But there is hope. Among other things, anti-retroviral pills, or ARVs, in Africa are making a real difference in the lives of many people. Many mothers, living with HIV/AIDS, are able to deliver healthy babies, nourish their children and contribute to their communities. In Africa it costs only about 40 cents a day to fund the two ARVs that can help keep a mother with HIV alive. 

(RED) was created to meet challenge of supplying these lifesaving drugs to people in need. A percentage of each (PRODUCT) RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money assists women—many of them mothers—and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.  

The members of Everest Team INSPI(RED) are doing what they can do. What are we INSI(RED) to do? I can shop (RED) for Mother’s Day, give my mom a (RED) Hallmark greeting card and make a difference.