Feb. 1, 2023

To the Editor:

“Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die.” - Bono

January 2023 marked the 20^th anniversary of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). First established in 2003 to fight the HIV/AIDS global pandemic, this critical bipartisan legislation has helped save 25 million lives worldwide over the past two decades — an incredible achievement! Additionally, this U.S. led initiative has prevented millions of HIV infections and helped control this disease in more than 50 partner countries. Currently, PEPFAR is aggressively working with other U.S. agencies and global institutions to fulfill America’s original promise to end HIV/AIDS by 2030.

Despite these amazing accomplishments, the AIDS crisis is far from over. 38.4 million people still live with HIV, and AIDS still claims 2,000 lives a day. Congress will be appropriating funding for PEPFAR this year. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Massachusetts Representatives should continue support for this life-saving program.

Here locally, those wishing to participate can either reach out to our respective Congressional leadership themselves or visit www.one.org/us/ for more information. This is a fight we must win. This is a fight we can win. We can make a difference in the world by helping end the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Glenn W. Lawrence