Soap operas
launch weeklong focus on HIV

All of the major soap operas on network television on Thursday launched a weeklong focus on HIV issues, particularly on the rising numbers of AIDS orphans in Africa's developing countries, TV Guide reports. The "Daytime Unites for Africa" campaign was created by Days of Our Lives writer Sofia Landon Geier, whose 11-year-old daughter, Hallie, had saved her lunch money to donate to African charities. Hallie passed away last year, and the soap opera campaign is a way to honor her commitment to AIDS orphans, Geier told TV Guide. AIDS story lines will appear in nine daytime soap operas through the end of next week. (Advocate.com)