‘International Condom Day’ 2012: AHF & Partners to Distribute over One Million Free Condoms Worldwide: AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization which currently provides medical care and services to more than 125,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide, will mark International Condom Day (ICD)?an informal holiday observed on February 13th in conjunction with Valentine?s Day?with free condom distribution events and innovative safer sex awareness events set for over 30 cities in 15 countries around the world as well as HIV prevention media campaigns and free HIV testing events in some locations that will be taking place over the days, nights?and week?surrounding the holiday. Together, AHF and its global partners plan to distribute over one million free condoms and conduct as many as 10,000 free HIV tests in conjunction with worldwide events planned for the 2012 International Condom Day effort.
Vergrößern ‘International Condom Day’ 2012: AHF & Partners to Distribute over One Million Free Condoms Worldwide | Bild: © dpa

AHF?s International Condom Day events include the launch of AHF?s ?Condom Nation? tour from the famed Venice Beach Boardwalk in California in the United States?a 20-state, six-month nationwide tour of AHF?s specially-outfitted 53-foot long, 18 wheel big rig truck which will stop in select cities, towns and states to hand out free condoms and safer sex information in conjunction with local partners along the way. Some of the other International Condom Day events include:

?We know that condoms are a simple, low-cost prevention method that works,? said Terri Ford, AIDS Healthcare Foundation?s Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy. ?With a new focus on treatment as prevention and other recently embraced prevention strategies, there is a worry that the relevance of 'the condom' will be forgotten or diminished in the equation of global AIDS control. That would be a big mistake, as condoms remain both the most effective and cost-effective weapon against HIV/AIDS. Yet, remarkably, we see continual shortages and stock-outs on the ground through the world. That is unacceptable and must be remedied sooner than later. With our Love Condom campaign on Valentine's Day, we look to spark a revitalized commitment to accessible and quality condom supply and distribution around the world. Condoms save lives ? we simply cannot forget that."

Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President said, "While awareness of condoms may be high, availability and easy access continues to be a barrier to consistent condom use around the world. We continue to advocate for condoms to be made more available to the public, as condom use is the best strategy for reducing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. AHF is pleased to once again mark International Condom Day with worldwide events to encourage the public to put knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and condom use into action, and embrace condom use as one of the primary strategies to reduce HIV transmission."

For more information, please visit www.aidshealth.org or www.lovecondom.org

Participating Countries/Cities in AHF?s International Condom Day 2012 Celebration

 

324,000 condoms

 

100,000 condoms

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and services to more than 125,000 individuals in 26 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean the Asia/Pacific region and Eastern Europe. www.aidshealth.org