Organisers of this year’s Red Ribbon Appeal are calling on people to join in efforts to end HIV transmission in NSW by participating in the annual fundraising event.

Launching today, the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal takes place in the lead up to and on World AIDS Day (1 December).

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the focus of the event continues to align with NSW’s new approach to ending HIV transmission by 2020.

As a result of recent advances in HIV treatments and testing technologies, we now have the ability to virtually eliminate HIV transmission in NSW by the end of the decade

“After 30 years of battling HIV/AIDS, the fact that we now have the capacity to end HIV transmission within 5 years is incredibly significant. This is especially so for the tens of thousands of individuals, family members and friends throughout Australia who have been affected by the virus.

“So this year, we’re asking people to join us and help make HIV history by getting involved in the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal.

“By volunteering to sell ribbons on the street or in your workplace, or by purchasing and wearing a red ribbon, you can help raise money to fund programs and services that are vital to ending HIV transmission in NSW.

“You’ll also be helping spread the word about how we can end HIV by testing more, treating early and staying safe.

“Now is the time for us to work together to free our community from HIV transmission. It’s history in the making and we can all be a part of that by supporting the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. So please join us and make a difference that will last forever.”

How you can make a difference:

Sell Red Ribbons
You can volunteer to sell ribbons on the street, you can bulk order ribbons and sell them to family and friends, or you can order a countertop box and sell ribbons to your customers or colleagues.

Buy Red Ribbons or Make a Donation
You can buy red ribbons online, on the street, or in participating shops and businesses. Or you can make a cash donation online.

To volunteer to sell ribbons on the street or in your workplace, please visit www.redribbonappeal.org.au or contact your nearest ACON office:

> ACON Sydney – (02) 9206 2000
> ACON Hunter – (02) 4962 7700
> ACON Northern Rivers – (02) 6622 1555
> ACON Port Macquarie – (02) 6584 0943
> ACON Coffs Harbour – (02) 6651 6017
> ACON Southern NSW – (02) 9206 2113

Media contact: Andrew Hamadanian, ACON Media and Communication Officer
T: (02) 9206 2044     E: ahamadanian@acon.org.au  M: 0419 555 768