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)