According to the World Health Organization, more than 36.9 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide in 2017 with low and middle income countries being the hardest hit. One Carmel resident wants to ensure vulnerable populations get the help they need in preventing the spread of the disease.
Mary-Barbara Marti recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to encourage U.S. Sen. Todd Young to continue creating and supporting legislation that has a direct, positive effect on those living in extreme poverty.
“We met with Sen. Todd Young to urge him to maintain U.S. funding for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria,” Marti said. “The United States contributes $1 to the Global Fund for every $2 contributed by other governments, foundations and the private sector. The Global Fund has saved 27 million lives since it was founded in 2002.”
Marti joined ONE, the organization created in 2011 by U2 singer Bono, that campaigns and advocates to end world poverty. As part of her participation, she was chosen for the trip, along with six other Indiana residents, to attend the annual Power Summit.
“The Power Summit provides volunteer leaders with training for organizing volunteers locally, policy education on our issues fighting extreme poverty and preventable disease, and ends with a lobby day on Capitol Hill where we urge our leaders in Congress to support effective policies and programs that will save lives, like the Global Fund,” Marti said.
Young met with group instead of having them meet with his staff.
“Our meeting went really well,” Marti said. “This year, he spoke at our volunteer dinner and went on the record on Twitter about the importance of fighting AIDS and malaria. I appreciate Sen. Young taking the time to meet with us and hope he will continue to lead by supporting the Global Fund.”
For more, visit one.org/us/.
