Under way in Mozambique since 2002, the DREAM (Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition) program for a thoroughgoing treatment of AIDS has been treating women, men and children with its triple-therapy and global, innovative approach It is now present in ten African countries (Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Angola, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon).

With DREAM, the Community of Sant�Egidio is today providing the most effective program of treatment to fight AIDS across sub-Saharan Africa: over 98 percent of children born to affected or serum-positive mothers are now born without the virus and over 9 out of 10 adults are able, thanks to its triple-therapy, able to continue living a normal life.

Results have been so good that the World Health Organization has carried out a case study and the Community of Sant�Egidio was awarded the Balzan Peace Prize in 2004. At the Heads of State Summit of the African Union, held in Nigeria on 2 May 2006, DREAM figured as one of only two success stories in AIDS treatment in Africa � the other being the program promoted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Botswana.

�Thirty Hours for Life� has chosen to gear its 2008 campaign towards the prevention and treatment of AIDS among HIV-positive expectant mothers, in accordance with the MCPC (Mother and Children Prevention & Care) scheme, which involves a pharmaceutical �KIT� and laboratory testing, administered during pregnancy and post-partum, for the total cost of 200 euro for each mother and child.

The Thirty Years for Life campaign will take place over the week of 21 to 27 April, in the course of which air-time dedicated to awareness raising will be provided on Italian state television and radio stations, and a fund-raising will be conducted by Lorella Cuccarini, founding partner and testimonial of the project from its outset.

Press Conference

with

LORELLA CUCCARINI e MARIO MARAZZITI

Piazza di S. Egidio, 3/a - 00153 ROMA - Tel +39.06585661 - Fax +39.0658566331
www.santegidio.org - Email [email protected]