In Partnership With Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, CBS’ ‘Survivor: Africa’ Highlights Mother-to-Child Transmission Efforts
A partnership between the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the CBS reality television show "Survivor: Africa" will highlight the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the foundation's work to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease. In last night's episode of "Survivor: Africa," participant Lex van den Berghe won a Chevy Avalanche truck and used the vehicle to deliver HIV test kits and the drug nevirapine to Kenya's Wamba Catholic Hospital for a "first-hand look at the HIV/AIDS crisis and its devastating effect in Africa." The foundation is working with Wamba Hospital to create a "sustainable program" to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In addition, CBS began airing public service announcements about HIV/AIDS during its primetime programming in October. The spots feature "Survivor: Africa" Host Jeff Probst and direct viewers to the foundation's web site. CBS will continue to air the PSAs during the network's primetime schedule throughout 2002. Finally, the network will auction off "Survivor: Africa" props and memorabilia on eBay following the show's Jan. 10 finale, with all proceeds going to the foundation. Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation President and CEO Kate Carr said, "The visibility that the 'Survivor' partnership brings to the foundation through the airing of PSAs and the inclusion of our work in an episode of 'Survivor: Africa' is helping us to spread the word about our work" (CBS/Glaser Foundation release, 1/3).
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