Elizabeth Glaser Foundation Addresses Pediatric AIDS

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) will host a policy roundtable on June 24 to discuss current advancements, investment opportunities and future innovations in pediatric AIDS treatment.

Michael Gerson, op-ed columnist for The Washington Post and Policy Fellow at the ONE campaign, will moderate the roundtable. The discussion will feature two panels along with special guests: Ambassador Deborah Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Dr. Deborah Persaud of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center who led the Mississippi Baby and Long Beach Baby initiatives.

The first panel with discuss programmatic investments to accelerate progress towards ending pediatric AIDS while the second will look at future innovations in pediatric AIDS prevention, treatment and cure research. Other speakers include Rajiv Shah, M.D., administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, along with experts from the Clinton Health Access Initiative, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the George Washington University and the University of Maryland.

EGPAF is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS, and has reached 20 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It currently supports more than 7,000 health facilities and works in 15 countries to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research, and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide.

Later that evening, the Foundation will honor Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, recipient of the Congressional Global Champion Award, at a special evening reception.

"Pelosi has been an outspoken advocate for those infected with and affected by HIV since the beginning of the epidemic," reads a statement from EGPAF. "She understands too well the devastation HIV can cause. Her commitment has been critical in advancing the fight against the disease and helping to lead us to a place where we can now say an AIDS-free generation is in our grasp."

EGPAF President and CEO Charles Lyons will present the award to Leader Pelosi. Also in attendance will be Michael Rouse, vice president of diversity, philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota; ABC7/WJLA-TV news co-anchor Alison Starling; co-chair Annie Hill; and EGPAF President and CEO Charles Lyons, and EGPAF Ambassador Jake Glaser.

The reception celebrates EGPAF's 25 years of working to end AIDS in children worldwide. WJLA anchor Alison Starling will host the evening celebration, and Step Afrika, a percussive dance group, will also perform.