The American Fertility Association Receives Educational Grant from The Elton John AIDS Foundation for Outreach Services Helping HIV-Positive Individuals Safely Have Biological Children

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced an educational grant to The American Fertility Association (AFA), for the purpose of increasing awareness of family-building options for HIV-positive men and women. This work was initiated in 2012 with the assistance of Growing Generations and International Fertility Law Group.

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In an effort to increase awareness of the medical strides that currently allow HIV-positive individuals to safely have biologically-linked offspring, EJAF and The AFA have joined forces to implement a grass-roots educational campaign specifically targeting HIV-positive individuals, the physicians who serve them, reproductive endocrinologists (fertility specialists), and community-based organizations.

The campaign will focus on two underserved locations in the Southern United States and will utilize a social media campaign and a web-based, individualized pathway to parenthood for HIV-positive individuals, to be hosted on The AFA's website, including resources for both men and women with HIV considering pregnancy. The campaign will also feature a seminar for professionals on HIV family-building options to educate the medical community on the science and issues involved. In every stage, collaboration with local agencies will be at the forefront.

"We're honored to have support from Elton John AIDS Foundation to help bring hope and awareness to those living with HIV and desiring to safely have biologically-related children," said Ken Mosesian, Executive Director of The American Fertility Association. Mosesian continued, "This work will also give us the platform from which to speak about the continued need for HIV prevention, including condom use."

"Over the years, advancements in drug therapy and treatment have changed the lives of many people living with HIV/AIDS, making it possible for them to live longer, fuller, healthier lives," said EJAF Executive Director Scott Campbell. "HIV-positive people are entitled to be a vital part of our society, just like everyone else. Thanks to groundbreaking advancements in fertility science, there is no reason that children shouldn't be part of that equation. EJAF is proud to join with The AFA in championing the human rights of people with HIV, including their right to have families of their own."

About The American Fertility Association:

The American Fertility Association (The AFA) is an inclusive organization committed to helping people create their unique path to parenthood by providing leading-edge outreach programs and timely educational information. The scope of our work encompasses reproductive and sexual health, infertility prevention and treatment, and family-building options including adoption and third party solutions. The AFA is a national, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization headquartered in New York City. 

About The Elton John AIDS Foundation:

At the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), we believe that AIDS can be beaten.  We act on that belief by raising funds for effective programs and policies, and also by speaking out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people's lives.  Sir Elton John created EJAF over twenty years ago, first in the United States in 1992 and then in the United Kingdom in 1993.  Through hard work and with the help of our network of kind, amazing, creative, and generous friends and supporters, the two foundations together have raised more than $300 million over the past two decades to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS.  The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas, and the Caribbean, while the U.K. foundation funds HIV-related work in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  Join us in speaking out, taking action, and contributing to our efforts to achieve a world without AIDS.  For more information, please visit www.ejaf.org.

Contact:

Corey Whelan
Program Director
Email 
(718) 853-1411

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SOURCE The American Fertility Association