LMA Business Club e-news issue 1 - January 2010

World AIDS Day 2009

Tuesday 1st December is World AIDS Day. It is the day that the world remembers the millions of people across the globe who have died from HIV and AIDS and the millions more who are living with HIV and AIDS.

In both 2008 and 2009, the LMA sent out the HIVSport ‘badge of hope’ to all managers of the top 92 professional clubs in advance of World AIDS Day. Many of these managers wore the badge during matches and pre and post-match press conferences to show their support for this important and worthwhile cause.

In South Africa alone there are about 5.7 million people living with HIV – roughly 1 in 6 of the adult population. HIV / AIDS affect us all. During the 90 minutes of a football game, 90 children will die of AIDS throughout the world, mostly in southern Africa. However, HIV infection can be prevented and can also be treated with modern drugs.

With the next World Cup taking place in South Africa, a country badly affected by HIV / AIDS, many fans will be travelling there and it is vital that they become well-informed about HIV / AIDS.

Recent research by the BBC revealed that 90% of 16 – 24 year olds in the UK do not think about HIV before having sex and so putting themselves and their partners at risk. You cannot afford to do this in South Africa. Please take the time to make yourself better informed about the risks of HIV.

If you are planning to travel to the World Cup next summer it is vital that you become well-informed about HIV transmission and the risks of other sexually transmitted infections. You can find this information on www.hivsport.org.

If you have any questions regarding the LMA's relationship with HIVSport or World AIDS Day, please contact LMA Marketing Manager, Michelle Dorgan on 01926 831556 or michelle.dorgan@lmasecure.com