BMS campaign
raises $100,000 for National AIDS Fund

Bristol-Myers Squibb's annual "Light to Unite" World AIDS Day campaign attracted more than 100,000 online participants, raising $100,000 for the National AIDS Fund, BMS announced. Visitors to the "Light to Unite" Web site were invited to light a virtual candle to mark World AIDS Day; for each candle lit, BMS contributed $1 to the AIDS organization. More than 100,000 people visited the site between November 17 and December 1.

"Our annual 'Light to Unite' campaign provided thousands of people with the opportunity to embrace the World AIDS Day message of support and hope for people living with HIV," says Ron Cooper, BMS vice president, in a press release. "This campaign further demonstrates the Bristol-Myers Squibb commitment to helping lead the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide. We are pleased to make a gift to the National AIDS Fund, which will help local AIDS organizations throughout the United States implement state-of-the-art prevention and care programs within their communities."

The National AIDS Fund, working with 29 state and local funding partners, provides more than $8 million annually to more than 400 community-based AIDS service organizations. The fund and its community partnerships have allocated more than $126 million in funds to local AIDS groups since 1988.

BMS sponsored a special World AIDS Day section on the Web site of The Advocate's sister publication, HIV Plus. To access the special section, go online to www.hivplusmag.com/worldaidsday. (Advocate.com)