Positive Women Inc. Secures Large Grant from M•A•C AIDS Fund

26 November 2013

Positive Women Inc. Secures Large Grant from the M•A•C AIDS Fund

Just in time for World AIDS Day this Sunday December 1st, Positive Women Inc. has been granted $93,000 from the M•A•C AIDS Fund for their work supporting women and families living with HIV and AIDS in New Zealand.

This is the ninth year that Positive Women Inc. (PWI) has received funding from the MAF. Such a significant amount goes a long way in enabling us to keep our community house, Rose House, open and offering our services to women and families in New Zealand living with HIV or AIDS.

The M•A•C AIDS Fund (MAF) is funded through the sales of the MAC Viva Glam lipstick range. 100% of the sales of Via Glam go towards the fund. Funds from sales in New Zealand stay in New Zealand to support local HIV networks supporting people living with HIV and enabling local organisations to continue with their support, education, prevention and destigmatisation programmes.

Jane Bruning, National Coordinator of PWI, the national support organisation for women and families living with HIV and AIDS says, “HIV related stigma and discrimination continues to be one of the greatest barrier for people living with HIV. Without M•A•C’s continued support we would not be in the position we are today and for that we are truly grateful”.

M•A•C and Positive Women Inc. have fostered a close and strong relationship over the years. Each year for World AIDS Day, a team of M•A•C artists participate in a spring cleaning day at Rose House. M•A•C artists regularly volunteer their time to do makeovers at PWI events and including at the annual PWI women’s retreat.

“Our members are all ordinary women who run households, have jobs, raise families and have grandchildren. Often these women look after sick partners and keep everything together”, says Bruning, “The M•A•C makeovers give the ladies a real self esteem boost and is such a treat, they look forward to them every year”.

On World AIDS Day people worldwide unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and commemorate people who have died.

Positive Women Inc. is an organisation providing support to women and families living with HIV. Positive Women Inc. also aims to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in the community through educational programmes with a focus on prevention and de-stigmatisation.

www.positivewomen.org.nz
www.macaidsfund.org

ENDS

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