Preity as Goodwill Ambassador to create AIDS awareness
Saturday, 13 March 2010
NEW DELHI, Mar 12: Film actor Preity Zinta, who has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, would use IPL cricket tournament to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Accepting the honour, Preity told mediapersons here as UNAIDS Ambassador she would raise awareness on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, with an emphasis on women, children and the oppressed.
Priety, who is a co-owner of Kings XI Punjab team, said she along with players like Yuvraj Singh would do field shows to create awareness about the disease and advocate combating stigma and discrimination faced by the people living with HIV. Also the players of Kings XI Punjab, while playing IPL tournament starting on March 13, would sport Red Ribbon in support of HIV/AIDS awareness. Also the merchandised used by cricketers of the team during tournament would be auctioned and 25 per cent of the proceeds would be given to UNAIDS for HIV/AIDS awareness programme, she said.
Moreover, through her contacts in the film fraternity as well as the arts, Preity would support the UNAIDS mission of empowering people, especially women and girls, to protect themselves and live full, productive lives.
''All human beings, wherever we are, have the basic right to be happy and healthy. I see this as a great opportunity to bring the realities faced by people living with HIV to the forefront and to call for attention to the injustices faced by them. By putting people first, our priorities are clear, and with many hands - what is difficult becomes easy - what is impossible becomes possible,'' Preity said.
On the occasion, Dr Charles Gilks, Country Coordinator, UNAIDS, said Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrities with a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV.
Accepting the honour, Preity told mediapersons here as UNAIDS Ambassador she would raise awareness on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, with an emphasis on women, children and the oppressed.
Priety, who is a co-owner of Kings XI Punjab team, said she along with players like Yuvraj Singh would do field shows to create awareness about the disease and advocate combating stigma and discrimination faced by the people living with HIV. Also the players of Kings XI Punjab, while playing IPL tournament starting on March 13, would sport Red Ribbon in support of HIV/AIDS awareness. Also the merchandised used by cricketers of the team during tournament would be auctioned and 25 per cent of the proceeds would be given to UNAIDS for HIV/AIDS awareness programme, she said.
Moreover, through her contacts in the film fraternity as well as the arts, Preity would support the UNAIDS mission of empowering people, especially women and girls, to protect themselves and live full, productive lives.
''All human beings, wherever we are, have the basic right to be happy and healthy. I see this as a great opportunity to bring the realities faced by people living with HIV to the forefront and to call for attention to the injustices faced by them. By putting people first, our priorities are clear, and with many hands - what is difficult becomes easy - what is impossible becomes possible,'' Preity said.
On the occasion, Dr Charles Gilks, Country Coordinator, UNAIDS, said Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrities with a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of people living with HIV.