New York City, June 01: The NBA and UNICEF joined forces in support of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS, a global campaign to limit the impact of HIV and AIDS on children and halt the spread of the virus.
The announcement, at a press conference held at UNICEF headquarters, featured Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo, 11-time NBA Champion and Hall of Fame Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics, NBA community ambassador and former New York Knicks forward Jerome Williams, WNBA legend and Olympic gold medalist Teresa Weatherspoon, NBA Commissioner David Stern, UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot and Mrs. Nane Annan, lawyer, activist and author.
The partnership pairs the NBA's global outreach initiative, NBA Cares, with UNICEF. To support the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS Campaign, the NBA and UNICEF will launch a multi-lingual global public service announcement (PSA) featuring 10 NBA/WNBA players including Mutombo, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and WNBA star Swin Cash.
The PSA was screened today for the first time. "Having these players jump into the game to call attention to the enormous impact of AIDS on children is a huge win for children throughout the world," UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said. "We are grateful to have the NBA as our newest partner in the Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign."
One of the critical goals of the campaign is pediatric AIDS treatment. Less than 5 per cent of HIV-positive children who need treatment have access to it. The Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign target is to provide treatment to 80 per cent of children in need by 2010.
The NBA has been internationally recognized for its ongoing commitment to fighting the spread of AIDS in communities around the globe and has been honored for its efforts by the Global Business Coalition as a leader in global AIDS advocacy.
Bureau Report