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| Pamela Anderson, M·A·C VIVA GLAM V spokesperson,
urges the world to GET TESTED for HIV in a radio public service announcement
premiering June 27 – National HIV Testing Day |
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| 40 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide and
95% of those infected don't know it |
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| Anderson States in the Public Service
Announcement "More People Tested Means Less People Infected," and
"Know Your Status To Help Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS" |
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| New York, June 23, 2005 - M·A·C AIDS Fund (MAF),
the charitable arm of M·A·C Cosmetics, announces today the worldwide debut of a
Radio Public Service Announcement (RPSA)
featuring M·A·C VIVA GLAM V Spokesperson, Pamela Anderson,
urging people to get tested for HIV/AIDS. MAF will officially launch the RPSA on
Monday, June 27th, declared as National HIV Testing Day, by the National Association of
People with AIDS (NAPWA-US). This nationally recognized annual campaign promotes
the importance of HIV testing and counseling. HIV/AIDS is preventable and 95% of
people infected with the HIV virus worldwide don't know they have it. |
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| M·A·C VIVA GLAM superstar Pamela Anderson has
adopted the importance of getting tested, getting results, and making informed healthcare
decisions as her platform for the M·A·C VIVA GLAM V Campaign and speaks to this in the
RPSA. Pamela Anderson and MAF encourage everyone to make HIV testing a part of their
regular healthcare routine and fully support the National HIV Testing Day annual campaign,
its message and importance. |
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"It was personally important for me to
participate in the National HIV Testing Day RPSA with M·A·C AIDS Fund
since Getting Tested is my platform for the VIVA GLAM campaign.
HIV/AIDS is a preventable disease, but if you don't know your HIV
status you can unknowingly pass it along to others. Our greatest
defense against the spread of HIV is to know our status and the
only way to know is to GET TESTED! A lot of people wonder how
they can make a difference; getting tested and buying a M·A·C
VIVA GLAM lipstick can really make a difference around the world.
So do your part and GET TESTED this Monday, National HIV Testing
Day. It's quick and easy and it can make a difference."
– Pam Anderson |
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| Many places offer HIV testing including
local health departments, private doctors' offices, hospitals, and sites
specifically set up to provide HIV testing. It is important to get tested
at a place that also provides counseling about HIV and AIDS. Counselors
can answer any questions that might arise, help understand the meaning
of the test results and provide information about local AIDS-related resources.
Many places now offer the Rapid HIV Antibody Test that can give results in
5-60 minutes with a simple fingerstick sample of blood. |
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| According to NAPWA-US, across the country
on National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), thousands of HIV counseling and testing
sites, state and local health departments, and community-based HIV/AIDS
service providers will participate in NHTD events, by holding health fairs,
providing community and media outreach, hosting special testing-related
events or operating extended hours. HIV tests are quick and easy, and at
some clinics they are free or can be paid for on a sliding scale, based on income. |
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| In the three RPSA spots (:60, :30 and :15 seconds)
Anderson explains that many things can happen in 60 seconds. An
estimated three million people worldwide die of AIDS every year which
translates to six people dying of AIDS every 60 seconds.
Another thing that can happen in 60 seconds is taking an
HIV test. She concludes with the reminder that HIV/AIDS has
no cure, but its spread can be prevented by getting tested.
She then refers listeners to the National AIDS Hotline 800-342-AIDS (2437)
and the MAF Website for testing information. The RPSA debuts in America in
June and will air internationally thereafter. |
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| M·A·C VIVA GLAM
products (Lipstick and Lipglass) are the primary funding
sources for the M·A·C AIDS Fund, from which 100 percent of the
sales benefit men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. To
date the fund has raised over $47 million USD. In just one month after
announcing Pamela Anderson as the newest face of VIVA GLAM, almost
$1.4 million USD was generated for the M·A·C AIDS Fund. |
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The M·A·C AIDS Fund
The M·A·C AIDS Fund provides vital support to men, women and
children living with HIV and AIDS. Founded in 1994 by M·A·C
Cosmetics, the fund has raised more than $47 million through
the sales of the VIVA GLAM lipstick collection, Kids Helping Kids
Cards and the M·A·C Deck of Cards. The proceeds are distributed
to organizations worldwide that provide direct care services and daily
essentials to those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, and that offer HIV/AIDS education,
awareness and prevention programs and support the elimination of prejudice
and discrimination against HIV/AIDS-affected individuals. 100% of the selling
price of VIVA GLAM goes to the M·A·C AIDS Fund and are directed to local
and geographic regions where the need for HIV-related care and services
are greatest. For more information about the M·A·C AIDS Fund, log on to
www.macaidsfund.org. |
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M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics)
M·A·C, the leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto,
Canada in 1985 and is now part of The Estee Lauder Companies.
The company's popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth
endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists
around the world. M·A·C products are sold in more than 46 countries
worldwide. For a M·A·C location or information on our products
and services, visit www.maccosmetics.com, the recently redesigned site
that makes the M·A·C online experience simpler, more informational and faster for the user. |
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Contact
Catherine Bomboy
M·A·C Cosmetics
212.965.6345
cbomboy@maccosmetics.com |
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| Listen to an important message
from M·A·C VIVA GLAM superstar, Pamela Anderson. |
