Tuesday, July 29, 2008

CheapOair Charitable Endeavors: Co-sponsoring AFCA’s ‘Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up’ Event

CheapOair believes in the significance and vitality of giving back to society and the environment. It has always been actively involved in sponsoring and supporting serious social causes and issues. Earlier this year CheapOair donated $5,000 to Doctors Without Borders, continuing its efforts in helping the charitable organizations through funds and donations CheapOair has co-sponsored American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA) 'Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up' Event along with other prominent organizations like CrissCross, SENE, EcoTraining, ecoVenture. The event invites volunteers to climb, hike, cycle, or run to save the lives of children affected by the AIDS epidemic.

The incidence of AIDS in Zimbabwe is getting worst day by day and AFCA has been working to improve the lives of children and youth struggling with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. CheapOair CEO, Mr. Jain felt that it was essential to support such a serious issue affecting the lives of millions worldwide. CheapOair would like to participate more in such humanitarian actions to assist in world affairs where people are most affected, in order to build a responsible business.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Author Commends American Foundation for Children with AIDS

Book by best-selling author David Elliot Cohen recognizes the American Foundation for Children with AIDS as a salutary organization

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS has been included in best-selling author David Elliot Cohen’s new book, What Matters, as a noteworthy organization in the struggle against AIDS. Using alluring photographs and stimulating essays, the book has brought a spotlight on the continuous battle against AIDS in Africa. Sterling Publishing, a division of Barnes & Noble, will publish the book on September 2, 2008.

“The purpose of the What Matters project is to provoke discussion of essential global issues in various media, to inspire social action, and to provide readers with resources they can utilize to help create social change,” said Rose Whitmore, editorial assistant of What Matters.

The book and website contain a “What You Can Do” section in order to inspire the readers to become involved. Within the topic of the AIDS epidemic, the American Foundation for Children with AIDS has been acknowledged as a leading organization to stop the spread of AIDS and HIV in Africa. The public can view the complete contents of the book online at http://www.whatmattersonline.com.

“The idea, of course, is to get these very visceral photographs and poignant essays in front of as many people as possible and then translate the resulting interest into donations and actions through organizations,” stated Rose Whitmore.

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS continues to grow with notoriety from publications such as What Matters. A contribution of $30 provides a full month's worth of life-saving medication to an HIV positive child. With $7,000, AFCA can provide a 40-foot container of much-needed food, hygiene kits, milk, and medical supplies to partner hospitals.

To learn more about AFCA, become involved or make a contribution, please visit http://www.helpchildrenwithaids.org. All donations are tax-deductible.

About American Foundation for Children with AIDS
American Foundation for Children with AIDS is an independent international humanitarian aid organization established in 2004. AFCA is a 501(c)(3) not–for-profit organization incorporated in the state of Florida, USA. It has been certified Best in America by the Independent Charities of America. AFCA’s mission is to improve the lives of children and youth struggling with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. We provide cost-effective relief, services, medical and social support, education and advocacy to help these individuals achieve their full life potential.

AFCA believes that true success is achieved through collaboration with qualified local professionals. To this end, we partner with the following agencies to deliver quality, donated anti-retroviral medications and supplies to HIV-positive children and their caretakers: Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda; Community Based Health Care Program in Mombasa, Kenya; Voi Children’s Health Program in Voi, Kenya; ZOE in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, St. Theresa’s Home of Hope in Elementita, Kenya; and St. Mary’s Mission Hospitals in Nairobi and Elementita, Kenya.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up Team Climbs Kahiltna Glacier to Help Children With Aids in Africa

Justin Wood (Bellingham, Washington), Jeremy Ellison (Lake Tahoe, California), Johnny Davison (Lake Wanaka, New Zealand), and Aidan Loehr (Bellingham, Washington) summited 20,320-foot summit on July 1, carrying the flag of the “Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up” drive for fund raising and public awareness of infant and childhood AIDS in Africa. The alpinists flew onto the Kahiltna Glacier in the Denali National Park on June 15th. They gradually worked their way up glaciers on the mountain’s western flank until reaching Camp 3 at 14,000 feet where they were pinned down by heavy snows and high winds for a week. On July 30th they made it to a high camp at 17,200 where they spent two nights before making their summit bid on July 2nd.

Wood reported that it was a beautiful day to summit and that the conditions were especially appreciated after so many days and nights of storm. In a statement that he wrote out and then read over a satellite telephone from high on Denali, Wood said:

“This whole trip has seemed parallel to the fights against AIDS. We had some tough times, there were many days on which we had to revise our plans, and there were many days on which we thought it might not be possible to reach our goals despite our best efforts. But we kept our focus, and we were committed to lasting out our troubles with this storm high on the mountain rather than trying to head down to lower altitudes.

“We had all trained hard so we felt like we had the personal resources in fitness and gear to back up our mental commitment to hang in there. The storms and the bad days weren’t fun, but we kept focused on the goal, and while waiting for our chance for success, really watched out for each other. It was a huge team effort. Everyone doing a good job himself plus watching out for the well being of the other guy is what made weathering the miserable conditions possible.

“In the end we pushed a little further when it looked like there might be an opportunity to try for the summit. We moved to seventeen thousand not knowing for sure if we would have our window of opportunity, but we knew if we didn’t give it our all and put ourselves in that position at 17,200 feet, we definitely couldn’t succeed. So we moved up, took a rest day, and then found our window of opportunity.

“There was great joy and pride in our group when after a very long summit day, we moved to the top and set foot on the 20,320’ summit of North America. We were personally psyched, and we were all very excited to be using the moment to be drawing attention to the AIDS epidemic and to the fact that by working together and by staying committed, we will find a solution to this immense problem.

“We are convinced that ending the epidemic will eventually be possible, and that in the mean time, education of and resulting compassion from the general public will help those who have been stricken survive and live good lives. Like each member of this team doing their part, we are convinced that if each person sees themselves as part of a team to fight AIDS and plays their small part, we can have enormous effect.

“Like this team hanging in their day after day in the awful conditions, if each person who learns about this will just hang in there with a small donation month after month, the effect we can have is tremendous. We’re hoping to inspire people to see themselves as part of a team on a very long expedition. We hope each will make a commitment to giving long-term to reach our summit goal of helping these young people live fruitful lives. Instead of giving $100 one time, this team hopes the members of the bigger team to fight AIDS will give a set amount each month (whether its $10 or $50) and make their team membership in the fight against AIDS an ongoing part of their life. That’s the hope and commitment we want to pass on to you. If we can reach a goal like summiting Denali under difficult conditions in an arctic environment, we are convinced we can succeed in helping these kids live to see a tomorrow. Let’s do it!”

The team expects to return to the base of the mountain by July 3 and fly off the glacier on July 4th.