AMAZING NEWS! On Thursday, August 22, Minister Maryam Monsef announced that Canada is pledging C$930 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria for the next 3 years. This is a 16% increase from the pledge the government made in 2016. Canada stepped up the fight!
This incredible work was the result of Canadians speaking up and showing that they care about ending global poverty and preventable diseases.
Here’s a look back at how Canadians stepped up the fight:
We mailed dozens of kits to Canadians across the country so they can hand write postcards to Minister Monsef.
What a week! BIG thanks to our volunteers who helped us send postcard kits to ONE members across Canada in support of The @GlobalFund! Want to write one? Sign up here 👉 https://t.co/PVQRMRxrJU #StepUpTheFight #EndAIDS pic.twitter.com/8r5qxZahm2
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) March 22, 2019
Many of our volunteers organized postcard writing parties with friends and sent them in the mail
Hundreds of postcards in support of the @GlobalFund are heading @MaryamMonsef's office. Thank you to all our volunteers who #SteUpTheFight and are adding their voice to #endAIDS TB and malaria! This is Amanda mailing her postcards from BC. pic.twitter.com/WeTXEkYzi6
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) April 10, 2019
During the campaign, we even welcomed our friend Loyce Maturu, a speaker of the Global Fund Advocates Network and visited Finance Minister, Bill Morneau’s office to deliver some postcards:
THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers Robb, Allan and to our friend Loyce Maturu from @GFadvocates for delivering postcards in person to @Bill_Morneau’s office in support of the @GlobalFund to #endAIDS #tuberculosis and #malaria. This is how Canadians #StepUpTheFight! @CanadaDev pic.twitter.com/9J8nwIdC6D
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) April 3, 2019
Over 1200 volunteers personally emailed Prime Minister Trudeau on Canada Day to show support for the Global Fund. Another dozens sent a letter to the editor to their local newspapers to raise awareness on the importance of the Global Fund in the fight against AIDS.
Not only were individual citizens stepping up, other organizations and communities showed that ending AIDS mattered to them.
From advocacy groups like the GRAN…
To AIDS organizations like PARN in Peterborough, delivering postcards to Minister Monsef
Not only are postcards being sent to @MaryamMonsef's office in Parliament but they are also delivered in person to her constituency office in #Peterborough! Thank you @PARN4Counties for adding your voice in support of the @GlobalFund! #StepUpTheFight pic.twitter.com/aFlL8IKWx9
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) March 29, 2019
To the AIDS organizations, medical experts and LGBTQ community, gathering at Parc de l’Espoir during Pride in Montreal to remember those lost to AIDS and calling on the government to end AIDS here and everywhere:
Pride is built on a tradition of LGBTQ people demanding government action. Use your voice! Let’s end AIDS. #fiertémtl #LGBTQ #StepUpTheFight pic.twitter.com/HBTQ5uvc4B
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) August 18, 2019
Merci Angèle Rose Ankouad, présidente de @ACCMTL d’avoir passé du temps avec nous ajd! Vos paroles nous inspirent. ❤️ Mettons fin au sida! #endAIDS 🌈 #fiertemtl pic.twitter.com/qJKFrqyDzI
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) August 17, 2019
Le dévouement du Dr Réjean Thomas (@CliniqueA) au combat contre le sida au Québec et ailleurs au cours des dernières décennies est incroyable. Atteignons maintenant la ligne d’arrivée! ✊🏼🌈 #accéléronslemouvement #endaids #fiertemtl pic.twitter.com/ieLuoyDsV8
— ONE Canada (@ONE_in_Canada) August 17, 2019
Canadians spoke up for the things they care about and the impact is tremendous:
- 790 000 lives saved
- 1.3 million people on antiretroviral therapy
- 37 million malaria preventing bed nets
- 940,000 people with TB treated
Thank you Canada for stepping up and showing that you care about ending extreme poverty and preventable diseases!