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In 1981, Elizabeth Glaser, wife of director / actor Paul Michael Glaser was infected with HIV through a blood transfusion after giving birth to their daughter Ariel. Unknowingly the AIDS virus was transmitted to her daughter Ariel through her breast milk and to her son Jake in utero. Devastated by Ariel's death in 1988, Elizabeth along with her friends Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis created a foundation to support pediatric HIV/AIDS research. Confounded by the fact that little to no research was being done on pediatric AIDS, they developed the concept of individual scientists collaborating to create and interdisciplinary research, a sharing of ideas, and the creation of a greater pool of knowledge. An incredible and first of its kind achievement which continues to have a significant impact on not only HIV/AIDS research, but how HIV relates to other diseases.

In 1994, sadly, Elizabeth died of HIV complications. Today, the Foundation continues to serve as a voice for children. It carries out its work to stop pediatric AIDS all over the world. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has established a solid community of medical scientists helping to accelerate the reduction of the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission, the discovery of preventative treatments and vaccine investigation.

Today the Foundation has extended its passionate commitment to savings the lives and improving the health of even more children through the Glaser Pediatric Network linking five of the leading academic medical centers in the US. These include Baylor, Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, and UCSF who will engage in interdisciplinary research on life threatening pediatric diseases.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's Call to Action Project began in September of 1999. The mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in the developing world has reached epidemic proportions and continues to grow at an alarming rate. CTA will help to reduce MTCT in a variety of ways by:

· working closely with local healthcare facilities, community based organizations, and governments to plan, implement and expand programs that are best suited to the local culture and society.
· educating health care workers and community members on issues surrounding HIV prevention, transmission and treatment;
· providing comprehensive care and support services for mothers and entire families to insure that families stay healthy and communities remain in tact.
· providing access to health services and treatment to pregnant women and infants in rural communities with little to no healthcare infrastructure, and to those without the economic means necessary to obtain such services;

One of the greatest successes in the battle against HIV is the development of effective interventions that can prevent mother-to-child transmission. Through counseling, testing, and low-cost drug interventions, the Foundation is leading the global effort to bring these interventions to where they are most needed, and to reduce and ultimately eliminate mother-to-child transmission. With geographically and culturally diverse sites in over 300 locations throughout these 17 countries, the Foundation will reach a half a million women each year providing hope for their newborn children, and care and support for them and their families.

"Mission Statement:
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation creates a future that offers hope through pediatric research and programs worldwide to ensure children are at the forefront of every scientific breakthrough.

Our mission is to identify, fund and conduct critical pediatric research that will lead to better treatments and prevention of HIV infection in infants and children, to reduce and prevent HIV transmission from mother to child and to accelerate the discovery of new treatments for other serious and life-threatening pediatric diseases.

Through stimulating and catalyzing collaborative and focused scientific research, and by better understanding how diseases are interconnected, the Foundation improves the health and lives of children around the world.

The Foundation takes a leadership role in establishing a national pediatric research agenda, as well as promoting global education, awareness and compassion about HIV/AIDS in children.

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In working toward our mission, the Foundation is committed to ensuring that the vast majority of every dollar raised goes directly into our research, education, and outreach programs. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, receives an A from the American Institute of Philanthropy."

Contact The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation:

PHONE: (888)-499-HOPE (4673)

E-MAIL: General: info@pedAIDS.org

Fundraising & Donations: development@pedAIDS.org

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
2950 31st Street, #125
Santa Monica, CA 90405

For more information about the foundation or to make donations on-line, please visit their website.
www.pedaids.org

Donations can also be made through work place giving such as United Way (designation code # 0484)