Nike and (RED) have announced a partnership to leverage the power of football to fight HIV/Aids in Africa. The campaign to fight the Aids epidemic in Africa in called “Lace Up. Save Lives.” Co-founder of (RED), U2 vocalist Bono was joined by some of the world's best footballers in London in the campaign to fight AIDS/HIV through a program of educate and medicate.
Nike Helps Raise Awareness in Fight Against Aids in Africa
“Nike helps to bring awareness to the fight against Aids in Africa," said Susan Smith Ellis, the CEO of (RED) in a press release"Nike is the right partner to connect education with sports, and in so doing help drive social change, prevention and understanding of HIV/AIDS. We are thrilled to have them with us."
U2 vocalist Bono was joined in the announcement by leading footballers including Didier Drogba dn Joe Cole of Chelsea, Andrei Arshavin and Denilson of Arsenal, Marco Materazzi of Inter Milan, Lucas Neill of Everton and Clint Dempsey and Seol Ki-Hyeon of Fulham. The announcement of the partnership to fight Aids was made in London, England on Nov. 30, 2009.
The (RED) initiative to fight Aids/HIV in Africa is two-pronged. The fight against Aids/HIV is through programs that offer education and medication. The power of sports can be used to generate interest and engage youth around the world in the fight against Aids in Africa.
Lace Up. Save Lives.
The concept of the partnership between Nike and (RED) is a simple one. One hundred percent of the profits from purchases of Nike RED Laces will be split equally between the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Football based initiatives will help to generate interest in Aids prevention through education, prevention and medication.
Nike (Red )Laces are available at retailers worldwide and at the Nike website. Additional products will be made available in the future.
(RED) Partners
On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1 2009, (RED) partners made increased contributions through (RED) branded products. (RED) partners in the fight against Aids in Africa included Starbucks Coffee Company, Gap and Dell. According to the (RED) website, the list of partners in the fight against Aids includes: Apple, Bugaboo, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Gap, Hallmark, Starbucks, Solange Azagury-Partridge,Girl Skateboard Company, Channel Islands Surfboards and Timbuk2.
(RED) and (PRODUCT) RED
The primary objective, as stated in the (RED) website, of (ED) is to engage the private sector in helping to raise awareness and funds for the Global Fund to help in the fight against Aids in Africa, with the goal of eliminate the disease. (RED) was launched in 2006 and has generated $140 million for the Global Fund in the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Bono U2 Vocalist a Rock Star and Humanitarian
