Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
11.27.2008 - 08:30am ET
News from:
The Bonita Trust
Quest For A New Technology To Prevent HIV Receives A Boost
Bonita Trust lends its support to NAT
(CSRwire) November 27, 2008 - The Bonita Trust, an independent philanthropic trust,
has made a significant donation to UK charity NAT (National AIDS Trust) to
support its work around microbicides and vaccines to prevent HIV. In the
same month the UK's Department for International Development also promised
£220 million to new prevention technology research(1).
NAT is the UK's leading charity dedicated to transforming society's
response to HIV. It works closely with the International Partnership for
Microbicides (IPM) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to
advocate for and support the development of new prevention technologies to
fight HIV.
Current prevention tools are not succeeding in stopping the spread of HIV.
33 million people are living with HIV. There were 2.7 million new HIV
infections and 2 million AIDS-related deaths last year (2). A successful
vaccine has the potential to end or slow new infections and research
suggests a microbicide, which could be a gel, cream, vaginal tablet or
vaginal ring, could avoid 2.5 million HIV infections over three years.
Ruth Parasol, Advisor to the Bonita Trust, comments:
"The Bonita Trust is pleased to support NAT in its vital work ensuring
public, political and financial commitment for new technologies to prevent
HIV.
The Bonita Trust supports projects that leverage new technology to tackle
some of world’s most important health challenges. HIV is a global
health crisis of epic proportions but new prevention technologies offer
hope. Women in particular, many of whom are not empowered to protect
themselves from HIV, will benefit from microbicides."
Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, comments:
"For every two people that start treatment another five become newly
infected. In order to tackle the pandemic effectively new prevention
options must be developed.
Developing any vaccine is a long process which requires sustained
commitment. This grant from Bonita will enable NAT to continue to
advocate for and support the development of HIV vaccines and other new
prevention technologies which offer the best chance we have of eradicating
HIV."
Notes to the Editor:
1 – UK Calls for New Drive on HIV Research, DfID, November 2008
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/hiv-prevention.asp
2 - 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic, UNAIDS, August 2008
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/GlobalReport/2008/200
8_Global_report.asp
The Bonita Trust
The Bonita Trust was founded in 2004, under Gibraltar law, as an
independent philanthropic trust by a subsidiary of PartyGaming Plc., whose
then principals were Ruth Parasol, Anurag Dikshit, Vikrant Bhargava, and
Russ DeLeon prior to the company's London Stock Exchange flotation in June
2005. Bonita was created to give back to the communities in which they, the
company, and its staff live and work, past and present.
Bonita focuses the majority of its grant-making in five geographies: the
United Kingdom, India, Israel, Bulgaria and Gibraltar and is also
interested in answering some of the key global challenges facing society.
Most recently, Bonita was recognised by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust which
awarded Bonita the Group Heritage Award in recognition of the contributions
made towards the protection of Gibraltar's heritage. Bonita has also
supported health and education projects in Gibraltar, India, and Israel
and will continue to expand its grant-making in coming years.
As an independent philanthropic trust, Bonita is managed by a professional
Trustee, who is advised by the International Advisory Board.
More information on Bonita and some details of its work to date can be
found at: www.bonitatrust.org
NAT
NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK's leading charity dedicated to
transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking,
expert advice and practical resources. We campaign for change.
Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.
www.nat.org.uk
For more information please contact:
Mary Glanville
The Bonita Trust
Katherine Sladden
NAT
+44 (0)20 78146733
www.bonitatrust.org
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