Union Makes Finding Cure for Childhood AIDS Central to Mission

Cristina Pena was born with HIV/AIDS.

Today, she’s one of the millions of young people living healthy lives because of the foundation’s work and the efforts of Communications Workers of America (CWA) members across the country to raise funds for its pediatric AIDS research. Days before her third birthday, her father died from AIDS. After that, Pena says, “it was just me and my mom, two peas in a pod. Nobody knew how to act around us. Physicians donned masks and full gowns just to speak to us. Aunts and uncles worried about sharing drinks. When my mother inquired about our future, doctors just shrugged, limited our lifespan to five years and admitted they just didn’t know enough.”

....Since 1990, CWA has embraced the foundation and made the effort to find a cure for childhood AIDS central to its mission. In the 21 years since, CWA union members have raised nearly $7 million and CWA Secretary-Treasurer Annie Hill says “our union’s involvement with the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation is another way for our members to act on their values as working people, another way to tap strength in numbers. Together, we can save lives.”

Read the rest: http://www.aflcio.org/Features/In-Our-Communities/A-Union-s-Open-Heart-Fuels-Fight-to-End-Childhood-AIDS