Senator Bill Frist speaks at the event honoring six organizations' work fighting HIV/AIDS worldwide. (World of Hope photo)

LMichael Green (left) and Julius Coles (right) receive Africare's gift from Senator Frist. (World of Hope photo)

Senator Bill Frist's "World of Hope" Charity Awards Africare for Its Fight Against HIV/AIDS

$3 Million Distributed to Organizations Working on Health Issues Worldwide

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 2004 — The battle against the global HIV/AIDS epidemic received a major endorsement from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. (R-TN), who hosted a charitable fundraiser in September in support of six organizations working on AIDS. The World of Hope distributed $3 million from its first-ever fundraiser, with each organization receiving $500,000 to continue its efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.

World of Hope was created by Bill Frist earlier this year. According to its mission, "World of Hope is established as a charitable organization for the purpose of promoting improved quality of life for communities around the world. This includes the distribution of charitable contributions to support infrastructure, education, health care, emergency relief, and access to general aid."

"I'm proud of what we've accomplished, and I'm grateful for the generosity of so many dedicated individuals," said Frist. "World of Hope is about bringing promise to those suffering, and this event lets them know that they're not alone in this struggle. From my first trip to Africa over seven years ago, I've seen how this pandemic is stealing the soul of a continent, and it is setting pace to do so in many countries around the globe. President Bush has made an unprecedented commitment to fighting global HIV/AIDS. Together with efforts like World of Hope, I believe we can make a real impact."

Recipient charities included: Africare's HIV/AIDS Initiative; Esperanza USA Pacto de Esperanza: Pledge of Hope; Meharry Medical College Project Cope: Community Outreach Prevention Education; Samaritan's Purse Prescription of Hope; Save the Children; and TASO: The AIDS Support Organization of Uganda.

"Africare is honored to have been selected as one of the beneficiaries of the World of Hope's charitable event," stated Africare President Julius Coles. "The funds raised by this benefit will make a substantial contribution in helping Africare in its efforts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS on the continent of Africa."

Back to News Index