BY HARNOOR GILL

Grade 11 student

Christ The King Catholic Secondary

Georgetown, Ontario

WITH the tremendous advances in technology, it’s easier than ever before to be able to raise awareness on a subject that really makes a difference for you. This is exactly what the founders of (RED) did back in 2006. Bono and Bobby Shriver had the driving force to be able to influence businesses and people to be involved in the fight against AIDS. This is an amazing example of what can happen when you really follow your dreams to create everlasting change. Brands such as Apple, Coca-Cola, Beats by Dr. Dre, Bank of America, Starbucks, Nike, Head, Mophie as well as other well known brands that participated prior to and on December 1. This date is recognized as World AIDS Day and these brands were asked to help create awareness about it.

(RED) is extremely lucky to be able to partner with these brands because I found out about this cause from an app from the App Store as well. As an avid player of Clash of Clans from time to time, I had noticed that the start-up screen had changed and the colour of the badge icon had given the Barb a red moustache. Luckily for me I didn’t have to do research on it to because there was already an explanation given in the new section about what was going on. After realizing that this was for AIDS, I got interested in the topic and here I am writing an article about it.

For more than 30 years, AIDS has killed more than 39 million people and it could have been cured because of how it is easily preventable and treatable today. Of the 35 million people living with HIV today, only 13 million people have adequate access to treatment that costs less than 40 cents a day. The goal of (RED) is to be able to create an AIDS FREE GENERATION in over 30 years. The only problem is: will people actually do it?

The team at Peace Welcome Club believes that this is easily attainable and the only thing that is in the way is to motivate people to buy products that are partnered with (RED). So, before you go out Christmas shopping next time of the year, think about the difference you could make when you stick to helping organizations like this. Let’s do the math.

For example, if you went out and bought a 16 GB iPod Touch that hypothetically costs around $300-$400, you would be helping 750-1000 people easily with the purchase of a red iPod Touch. Now imagine 500 people buying that exact item or more for Christmas, which would mean you’re helping 375,000 to 700,000 people this year with the easy donation of a 40 cent treatment.

So this year, when you go out to buy presents, just remember to help support the cause for (RED) in order to help make this the Generation that stops AIDS once and for all.

Please visit: www.red.org