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HONG KONG, 21 November 2012 – Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) and M.A.C Cosmetics (M.A.C) held a press conference today to announce the once-again collaboration in combating HIV/AIDS. M.A.C AIDS Fund founded by M.A.C has supported the work of UNICEF for three consecutive years. This year, M.A.C becomes the Major Sponsor of UNICEF Charity Run, and generously increased its donation to HK$1 million, to show full support to UNICEF “Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS” Global Campaign. 

Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of UNICEF HK said in the conference, "The generous support from M.A.C and M.A.C AIDS Fund is a huge back-up of UNICEF’s work in combating HIV/AIDS. Under the joint efforts, the first phase of work of ‘Unite for Children^. Unite against AIDS’ Global Campaign has successfully reduced the number of children contracting HIV/AIDS from 560,000 in 2005 to 390,000, in 2010, and further achieve our commitment for children.”

Ms Denise Lai, Brand General Manager, M.A.C Hong Kong also said, “M.A.C VIVA GLAM lipstick has the power to change life, empower women and decide children’s fate. The simple act of purchasing Viva Glam lipsticks and lipglasses allowed us to save people living with HIV/AIDS. I am grateful to the eliciting support from our enthusiastic customers and retail artists who dedicate to convey this message to customers each and every day, which allows us to make this HK$1 million donation happens.” UNICEF HK Ambassador Eric Suen and UNICEF Charity Run 2012 Ambassador Coco Lee together with UNICEF HK Council Members accepted the HK$ 1 million cheque presented by Ms Lai. The HK$ 1 million donation will be used to purchase HIV/AIDS rapid diagnostic test and ing new hopes to women and their children affected by HIV/AIDS.

In today’s conference, UNICEF Charity Run 2012 Ambassador Coco Lee shared the experience of a mother living with HIV – from how helpless and concerned when she first found out she was HIV-positive, how UNICEF helped her and her newborn son receive proper treatment, and finally successfully preventing her son from the threat of HIV. Coco was very touched by the mother’s story and called for support to UNICEF “I hope we can all contribute to the HK$1 million for UNICEF and HIV prevention for children, and realising a ‘ZERO AIDS Generation’ together.”

UNICEF HK Ambassador Eric Suen also shared about UNICEF’s “Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS” Global Campaign in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, especially pointing out the importance of the three-step “HIV/AIDS rapid diagnostic test” to the health of mothers and babies. “For every HK$8, you can support one pregnant woman with HIV/AIDS rapid diagnostic test and help her baby born free from HIV!”

Every day, more than 1,000 newborns infect HIV from mothers all over the world. In other words, in every 1.4 minute, one newborn baby is infected with the deadly virus. Most of them die before age two due to lack of necessary treatment. However, if a mother is diagnosed in time as infected with HIV, and receives the right life-saving healthcare services and medical treatments, we can almost certainly ensure that her baby will be born free of the virus. Meanwhile, proper medical treatment can also help pregnant mothers maintain a healthy condition so that they will still have the ability to take care of their babies after giving birth.

M.A.C is an international partner with UNICEF, supporting the organization’s work with children and AIDS. In Hong Kong, UNICEF HK and M.A.C AIDS Fund started to cooperate since 2010 in order to promote the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and achieve “AIDS Free Generation”. Moreover, Ms. Denise Lai, Brand General Manager, M.A.C Hong Kong will join in the and-new 3km Leadership Challenge race in this year’s “UNICEF Charity Run”, spreading the message of cooperate social responsibility. Over a hundred M.A.C staff also will actively participate in other races in the event.

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