BEIJING, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Beijing Red Cross and International SOS, the world’s leading provider of healthcare, medical and security assistance and concierge company, today held a joint ceremony to commemorate the 24th World AIDS Day. Each year, World AIDS Day is held on December 1st to unite people worldwide in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. During the event, the Beijing Red Cross recognized International SOS as an important institution for the promotion of AIDS awareness and support, and as a crucial source of volunteers to join the cause. The ceremony signifies an important step towards increasing the public focus on and awareness of AIDS in China.
Launch of the AIDS Goal Zero Campaign
During the commemoration ceremony, the Beijing Red Cross launched the “AIDS Goal Zero” campaign to demonstrate UNAIDS’ global vision: zero AIDS cases, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related fatalities. The campaign aims to raise awareness amongst differing groups of individuals, so that the AIDS prevention message can better reach all spectrums of society. Through its partnership with International SOS, the Beijing Red Cross aims to proactively engage the international community to help fight against AIDS.
As part of the campaign, International SOS helped to provide a platform for AIDS prevention volunteers, whilst attracting more volunteers to the cause. The volunteers’ mission will be to improve the conditions of AIDS sufferers, raise public awareness about AIDS prevention and improve knowledge of safe blood donation practices.
“Raising public awareness of AIDS in China requires a long term commitment and effort from government, business, communities and individuals alike. We recognize that given our more than 20 years operating in China, we have an important part to play in promoting AIDS awareness and prevention in the community”, said John Williams, Managing Director at International SOS China.
Providing the Platform for AIDS Prevention Volunteers
With its global presence and infrastructure, International SOS provides medical and security services to more than 8,000 governments, organizations, and enterprises worldwide, including 66% of Fortune Global 500 companies. In China, International SOS works closely with several Chinese government administrations to provide them with medical assistance and advice when abroad.
During the “AIDS Goal Zero” launch, Ms. Han Lu, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Red Cross, presented an award to International SOS that recognizes their ongoing commitment to promoting AIDS awareness in the international community, and for providing an important platform to attract AIDS Prevention volunteers. At the event, the Beijing Red Cross, together with International SOS, distributed materials on AIDS prevention, free condoms and red ribbons to promote World AIDS Day.
“We are very proud partners of the Beijing Red Cross in our joint endeavors to raise awareness about AIDS. We hope that through the AIDS Goal Zero efforts, more people will be informed about AIDS and its prevention”, said Mr. Williams.
Donations boxes to support AIDS awareness and prevention will be placed at the reception of the Beijing International SOS Clinic.
About International SOS
International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com) is the world’s leading international healthcare, medical and security assistance, and concierge services company. Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS provides integrated medical, clinical, security, and customer care solutions to organizations with international operations. A global team of over 10,000 employees led by 1,000 full-time physicians and 200 security specialists provides services including planning, preventative programs, in-country expertise and emergency response to 66 percent of the Fortune Global 500 companies.
