BORN FREE
AT THE FAMILY GROOVE, WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD BY
REACHING OUT TO THE MOMS. NEVER HAS THIS SENTIMENT BEEN MORE TRUE THAN IN
THE MISSION OF THE ELIZABETH GLASER PEDIATRIC AIDS FOUNDATION, AN ORGANIZATION
THAT WORKS TO STOP THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDS FROM MOTHER TO CHILD.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) was created in 1988 by a mom, Elizabeth Glaser, who,
infected with the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion, unknowingly passed it on to both of her children. 18 years
later, the foundation is a pioneer in the fight against pediatric AIDS.

"500,000 babies a year are dying of pediatric HIV/AIDS. While we have made great strides in the developed world, we are really living through a terrible epidemic in the developing world, " says Pamela Barnes, EGPAF's president and CEO. "We know how to prevent transmission from mother to child.  And in the cases of HIV positive children,  we can provide them and their moms with treatment so that they can live healthy lives. We have the treatments and medicines to do both. It's just that we have to reach more and more people in order to make that happen," Barnes adds.

Pediatric HIV/AIDs is killing children around the world. In addition to finding a cure and preventing the spread of the disease to children, one of the central goals of the organization is to raise awareness about the epidemic.  Barnes says that "when we raise awareness, we raise the ability for people to say 'what can I do?'"

EGPAF has a comprehensive and inspiring website (www.pedaids.org) filled with information and advocacy opportunities. Barnes explains: "Advocacy includes funding that comes from the US government, but it also includes advocacy for pediatric formulations. We need to continue to advocate for legislation that requires drug companies to bring forward the pediatric formulations. Keep in mind that much of the developing world doesn't have these pediatric formulations. We actually have doctors and nurses who are cutting adult treatments in half or in thirds in order to be able to treat the children. What you would think about a doctor cutting your pills in half and telling you to give that to your child?"

"We've had a great deal of success in the Unite States. So few babies are born HIV positive. That's because we have a system for medical care, testing and treating pregnant moms. We must take that information and treatment to children around the world. We know we can save lives. We know it works. We just need to reach enough of those children. We need to raise awareness and we need to raise the political will of leaders in these countries, so that they make a commitment to fighting this disease," Barnes says emphatically.

EGPAF has been on the forefront of this change. "What Elizabeth Glaser was fighting for was the development of the treatment of those drugs to keep her son alive.  That was Elizabeth's vision and she succeeded in that before she died. Her son is now 22 years old. What we're now seeing in the developing world is the sense of hope that, with those treatments, children who are HIV positive and their moms can be kept alive.  Fewer than five years ago, we didn't have that hope," Barnes tell us.

"Young moms in this day and age—and I look at it from the perspective of my daughter and daughters-in-law and on to my eight grandchildren—are fully aware of global issues. Moms (and dads, too) understand what it means to have the ability to take care of their children and give them every blessing that they can possibly give. But they're also aware of the fact that it's not true everywhere around the world," Barnes adds.

We at THE FAMILY GROOVE, as moms and world citizens, chose EGPAF as its charity of the month because we know that this epidemic doesn't have to be. We have the tools to make a difference, so how can we not fight to use them?

How can you get involved?

Check out the website (www.pedaids.org). As Barnes told us, "Just raising the awareness and having moms and dads understand is a critical step."

Get political. There is domestic legislation for renewed funding . In fact,  President Bush has dedicated funds under the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR comes up for renewal in 2008.  You can advocate for the renewal of this crucial funding.

EGPAF also holds a few events annually in an effort to raise awareness and funds.

If you're in the greater Los Angeles area, look for  "A Time for Heros," a carnival  that brings together a lot of celebrities and other long-time supporters to raise awareness of pediatric HIV/AIDS programs around the world.

Christian Slater and Rachel Bilson	Matthew Perry

If you're in the greater New York area, look for "Kids for Kids."  It's another way of bringing forward the mission of the foundation and involving children and their families.

Hugh Jackman	Julianne Moore	LL Cool J

EGPAF also does "AIDS Walk Africa," an event that takes  50 donors to one of the program countries. The donors are taken from clinic site to clinic site where they see EGPAF's  work first hand.

THE FAMILY GROOVE donates a percentage of each issue's revenue to its charity of the month.