Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is an advocacy organization dedicated to sustaining and expanding United States support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Founded in 2004 by Edward W. Scott

Edward W. Scott

Edward W. "Ed" Scott, Jr. is an American businessman, philanthropist, and former senior United States government official. Along with Bill Coleman and Alfred Chuang, he founded enterprise software company BEA Systems....

, Adam Waldman and the late Jack Valenti

Jack Valenti

Jack Joseph Valenti was a long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America. During his 38-year tenure in the MPAA, he created the MPAA film rating system, and he was generally regarded as one of the most influential pro-copyright lobbyists in the world...

, Friends of the Global Fight works to educate and mobilize U.S. decision makers to support the Global Fund and the fight to end the worldwide burden of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

History

Friends of the Global Fight was founded in 2004 to help address the problem that millions of people die each year of preventable and treatable diseases. Long-time President of the American Picture Association Jack Valenti, as well as businessmen and philanthropists Edward W. Scott and Adam Waldman, wanted to support the Global Fund in its work to prevent these people from dying prematurely by providing the resources needed to fight AIDS

AIDS

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...

, tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...

 and malaria

Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...

. Friends of the Global Fight was created to advocate on behalf of the Global Fund in the U.S. Together, the organizations have helped promote a steady increase in U.S. funding for the Global Fund that has translated into success in fighting these diseases. The President’s Emergency Plan for AID Relief (PEPFAR), first passed in 2003, provides essential funding for the Global Fund’s work. On July 30, 2008, President George W. Bush signed the “Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008” into law, committing $48 billion over four years to the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Of the total $48 billion, the Act authorized $2 billion to the Global Fund in the first year and “such sums as necessary” in the future.

The Global Fund

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created in 2002 to dramatically increase international funding to combat the three diseases. A unique approach to international aid, the Global Fund is a public and private sector partnership. It does not implement programming or training, but provides the much-needed funding to continue to fight these diseases. To date, the Global Fund has approved financing totaling some $15 billion in 139 countries. To ensure that the Global Fund’s success continues, Friends of the Global Fight works to foster a strong relationship between the Global Fund and Congress. Friends of the Global Fight advocates for continued U.S. financial support of the Fund, as well as strong partnerships between the Global Fund and U.S.-based AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria organizations.

Methods

Friends of the Global Fight is constantly working to provide legislators and the media with the most current information about the Global Fund and the three diseases. The organization also works to build relationships with members of Congress to impart the importance of the Global Fund’s work. In their efforts, Friends of the Global Fight works very closely with the Global Fund Secretariat. Friends of the Global Fight also works with several other organizations that are striving to combat poverty and preventable diseases worldwide. These organizations are listed below.

Partnerships

• RESULTS
• United Nations Foundation
  United Nations Foundation
  The United Nations Foundation started up in 1998 with a $1 billion grant from Ted Turner in order to support the United Nations in executing its programs worldwide. The creation of the Foundation was intended to encourage other donors to also support the UN in its activities...
  
  
• Malaria No More
  Malaria No More
  Malaria No More is a nonprofit organization that aims to end death caused by malaria in Africa by 2015. Malaria No More is known for its participation in the Idol Gives Back charity specials.- History :...
  
  
• Global Health Council
  Global Health Council
  The Global Health Council is a United States-based non-profit networking organizing linking "several hundred health non-governmental organizations around the world to share knowledge and resources, build partnerships and together become stronger advocates for health"...
  
  

Successes

Friends of the Global Fight has:

• Ensured continued U.S. financial support for the Global Fund.
• Helped to pass the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which allows for $48 billion to be committed to fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria over the next four years.
• Helped facilitate annual appropriations increases.
• Showcased the Global Fund’s work at high-profile events, including the opening of a photography exhibit called Access to Life.
• Worked to increase public awareness of the Global Fund and its work.

External links

• Friends of the Global Fight
• The Global Fund