 |
   
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Local and Community News One Local Man's Effort to Fight AIDS in ChinaApril 22, 2003 A note from TheBody.com: Since this article was written, the HIV pandemic has changed, as has our understanding of HIV/AIDS and its treatment. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information! Last summer, dermatologist Steven Wang came across a New York Times article about the AIDS crisis in the rural Henan Province of China that ultimately motivated him to start a foundation. Unsterile blood collection practices resulted in the infection of at least 1 million people in the province, and the number of destitute orphans exploded as infection rates reached up to 40 percent in some of the villages. Wang investigated to see if any U.S. organization was providing help but found none. "One thing led to another. I decided to start a foundation," said Wang. With the help of the Minneapolis Foundation, Wang created the China AIDS Orphan Fund, which assists AIDS-orphaned children in the Henan province by financing their education. The fund also strives to help families pay for funerals and purchase infant formula to prevent mother-to-child transmission, Wang added. So far, Wang and a team of volunteers have managed to raise almost $8,000, mainly from family, friends and local companies. Currently, the money will be channeled through Give2Asia, a U.S. organization created by the Asia Foundation that promotes accountable philanthropy in Asia. Dan Berg, senior asset development officer at the Minneapolis Foundation, said his foundation typically sees established families starting funds to use some of their wealth for charity. Wang and the other organizers of the China AIDS Orphan Fund, on the other hand, mainly have energy and expertise to offer. Berg added that it is rare to see "an individual who starts from scratch and puts a viable structure together." Meanwhile, Wang plans to use the Internet to spread fundraising efforts nationwide, especially in big cities that have a large Chinese population. Saint Paul Pioneer Press 04.20.03; Richard Chin A note from TheBody.com: Since this article was written, the HIV pandemic has changed, as has our understanding of HIV/AIDS and its treatment. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!  This article was provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update. Visit the CDC's website to find out more about their activities, publications and services.
|
 |
Email
Print-Friendly
Glossary
The Body: About The Body | Contact The Body | Content Policy | Content Providers | Advertise With Us | Site Map
Remedy Health Media: About Remedy Health Media | Contact Remedy Health Media | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 500 5th Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10110. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.
