Zimbabwe's MDC Thanks AHF for "One Million Tests/World AIDS Day 2008" Leadership

Zimbabwe's MDC Thanks AHF for "One Million Tests/World AIDS Day 2008" Leadership

Business Wire - December 17, 2008

--Letter from Movement for Democratic Change - South African Province Chairman Acknowledges Successful Collaboration, Expresses "...Hope That This Will Lead to a Positive Change as Far as Dealing with HIV and AIDS Issues by Both Our Leadership and the People That We Lead"

LOS ANGELES--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is proud to have received a letter of acknowledgement from Austin Menzies Moyo Snr., Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - South Africa Province, a prominent Zimbabwean political party, expressing gratitude for AHF's partnership in the recent "One Million Tests/World AIDS Day 2008" campaign. The worldwide campaign spearheaded by AHF, brought together 1000 organizations in 72 countries to provide free HIV tests to one million people around the global in observance of World AIDS Day 2008. The DMC participated in the opening of AHF's Ithembalabantu Testing Center in Umlazi, Durban, South Africa. In observance of World AIDS Day, thirty-nine members of the DMC - South Africa Province leadership got tested for HIV at the new site as part of AHF's campaign to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS and encourage people to get tested.

In the letter, Mr. Austin Menzies Moyo Snr. states: "On behalf of the party structures in South Africa and MDC National, we would like to thank you for your assistance and recognise your commitment to assisting people deal with the fear they have with knowing their status. No amount of words can be able to express our gratitude."

"AHF is humbled by this acknowledgement by the MDC party leadership and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with MDC and contribute to a feeling of hope for a positive change in attitudes about HIV testing in Zimbabwe," said Terri Ford, Director of Global Advocacy for AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

Full text of the letter below:

5 December 2008

To: TERRI M. FORD | Director, Global Advocacy | AIDS Healthcare Foundation

CC: Hon. Lovemore Moyo (National Chairman)

Hon. Tendai Biti (Secretary General)

Mr. Roy Bennet (Treasurer General)

Hon. Mukonoweshuro (Sec. International Relations)

RE: Voluntary MSC SA Leadership HIV Testing

Dear Terri and your South Africa Team

I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the assistance that you provided in making our participation in the World AIDS Day a success. The event provided a new experience and some insight to all our leaders that participated that day and even to those that had remained behind, a change of attitude can be seen. It is our hope that this will lead to a positive change as far as dealing with HIV and AIDS issues by both our leadership and the people that we lead.

It was really great partnering with you and your team was magnanimous. We hope that such partnerships will continue in the future.

On behalf of the party structures in South Africa and MDC National, we would like to thank you for your assistance and recognise your commitment to assisting people deal with the fear they have with knowing their status. No amount of words can be able to express our gratitude.

May you be abundantly blessed for the support and commitment that you have shown.

Yours Sincerely,

Austin Menzies Moyo Snr. | Chairman | MDC - South Africa Province

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization in the US. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 93,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org.

Contacts

Terri M. Ford | Director of Global Advocacy | Mobile: +1-213-399-1001 | terrif@aidshealth.org

081217
BW081239

Copyright © 2008 - Business Wire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Business Wire, Permissions Desk, Business Wire, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036; Tel: (212) 575-8822; FAX: (212) 575-1854. http://www.businesswire.com.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .