The Coca-Cola Co. has entered into a multi-year partnership with RED to raise awareness and money for the global fund’s efforts to virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015.
The partnership includes an initial commitment of more than $5 million from The Coca-Cola Co. over the next four years. This commitment will fund marketing awareness campaigns activated through global Coca-Cola music initiatives and programs. As part of the $5 million contribution, a minimum of $3 million will be donated directly to the global fund to purchase anti-retroviral medicine and distribute literature.
“It’s encouraging to think that we could witness an AIDS-free generation during our lifetime,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Co. “We’re proud to help this effort and believe it complements the current work we’re doing in many parts of the world to educate and prevent HIV/AIDS, as well as provide support to people affected by this preventable and treatable disease.”
The Coca-Cola Co. operates in 206 countries and is one of the largest employers in the world. The Coca-Cola system employs nearly 70,000 people in Africa, which is home to more than 60 percent of the world’s HIV-infected population.
