Letter to the editor: July 3, 2019

Letter+to+the+editor%3A+July+3%2C+2019

U.S. should continue to lead in global effort to eradicate AIDS 

On June 17, President Donald Trump promised voters, in the launch of his new election campaign, that the disease AIDS will be eradicated. This is a big statement, but not unachievable.

Since 2002, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has already saved roughly 27 million lives. The United States has been a steady supporter for the Global Fund in past years, and without our help, many of those lives would have been wrongly lost. We have the vaccines and medications to help many people all over the world who are experiencing the heartbreaking effects of these diseases.

Once again, our nation must come together to contribute our funding for the Global Fund. This fall, the fund needs at least $14 billion total to save 16 million lives by 2022. This amount will put us on a clear path to ending this preventable disease for people across the globe.

I urge Rep. Ann Wagner to be vocal with her leadership so colleagues like Lacy Clay and Blaine Leutkemeyer will follow her support for the Global Fund, and together we can make a difference in so many lives.

Summer Levin, Town & Country