Apple, not known for its partnerships with third-parties, is again recognizing December 1st as World AIDS Day at Apple Retail Stores and on its website. Apple did something similar last year.
Some stores, including several locations in New York City, have also colored their Apple logos red for the occasion. A MacRumors reader sent in this image from the Upper West Side outlet and noted that retail store staffers appear to have replaced the cases on all the products in the store with PRODUCT (RED) versions.
/article-new/2012/12/worldaidsday.jpg?lossy "worldaidsday.jpg")
Apple sells a number of PRODUCT (RED) items where a percentage of the profits are donated to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. There are (RED) versions of the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, the iPad and iPad mini Smart Covers, the iPad Smart Case, and the iPhone 4S Bumper.
The numbers don’t lie: Every day more than 900 babies are born with HIV. By 2015 that number can be nearly zero. (RED) works with companies like Apple to fight for an AIDS-free generation by 2015 by creating (PRODUCT) RED merchandise. A percentage of gross profits from the sale of those products goes to the Global Fund to help fund AIDS programs in Africa. Since its introduction, (PRODUCT) RED has generated more than $190 million — more than $50 million from Apple alone — for the Global Fund. Now you can make an impact, too, by purchasing a (PRODUCT) RED iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPad Smart Cover, iPad Smart Case, or iPhone Bumper.
In addition to the retail store changes, Apple is placing a prominent link on the bottom of its homepage to (RED)'s World AIDS Day page.
Thanks Mark!
Top Rated Comments
I have personally worked among people in East Africa who were born with the HIV/Aids Virus. It is an awful thing. But the Antiretroviral drugs (ARV's) are available and can help people live a relatively normal life. However, a ton of education and other resources are needed to get these drugs to the people who need it. That's why I think this is such a noble thing of Apple to do - ever dollar counts!
Tell that to the thousands who become infected through blood transfusions that still happen, even with tested blood.
Tell that to the countless AIDS victims in the 80's who were left to die with a disease no one knew or cared about as at the time is was a "gay thing".
Your comment is beyond ignorant and wreaks of disdain. Many diseases are preventable, such as type II diabetes which has become an epidemic in the U.S. due to alarming increases in obesity, also preventable. I certainly hope no one you know has to fight with such a horrible "preventable" illness, I certainly hope you do not have to as well. :mad:
On Topic: doing both at the same time would is perfectly fine. I agree with you: AIDS is preventable.
BUT: that require education, protective tools, diagnosis, care ... and in many cases there are cultural and religious barriers to overcome. So the task is not easy and require money. Thats what RED try to support.
Getting rid of AIDS will be easier compared to get rid of cancer. The later one is much more complicated to fight against with all the different variants and causes. But stopping AIDS can't wait until we solved the cancer issue.
As for HIV being avoidable, it isn't for a lot of the people who have it. Cancer is often in large part avoidable too, depending on lifestyle and things like smoking. I've lost a friend to cancer but you can't, and shouldn't prioritise stuff like this. Different teams work on different things with different finances.
What about the less well known conditions? Are they more or less deserving of public attention. Anything that raises awareness and funds for such good causes is totally worthwhile.
Good for Apple.
I'm a Ph.D. student that has done a lot of research in sexual communication, specifically attitudes and high-risk behaviors of those infected and their potential/past partners. While a cure would be fantastic, and the jury is still out on whether donations and fundraising really goes directly to finding a cure, plenty of money DOES go to education programs which are paramount in getting people that are infected to disclose their status to their partners and to get their partners to begin asking the important questions: have you been tested? what is your status?
This is an American, heterosexual problem just as much as its homosexual and international. In fact, it's almost MORE of a heterosexual problem today.
I think people should be applauded for any piece of good they do.
If you don't and want to rank good causes then I understand thousands of people starve to death every day. That has a cheap and available cure. Cancer not so much.