About HeARTS
Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS is a non-profit, 100% volunteer organization. The annual benefit at Hal & Mal's is the largest fund-raiser in Mississippi for HIV/AIDS related issues.
The HeARTS Board is:
- Joe Williams, President
- Laura DiStefano, Vice President
- Robert Shivers, Treasurer
- Dr. Anthony Cloy, Secretary
- Quint Withers
- Tammy Cook
- Jamie Martin
- Mary Ellen Snow, 2012 Benefit Chairperson
For more information
call HeARTS Chairman Mary Ellen Snow
at 601.750.5883 or send her an e-mail.
About HIV and AIDS
HIV is one of the biggest social, economic and health challenges in the world. It is a global emergency claiming over 8,000 lives every day. In fact 5 people die of AIDS every minute.
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus known to cause AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). If someone is HIV-positive, it means they have been infected with the virus.
A person infected with HIV does not have AIDS until the virus seriously damages their immune system, making them vulnerable to a range of infections, some of which can lead to death.
In 2003, almost 5 million people acquired HIV, which means there are now almost 38 million people living with HIV and AIDS. Despite best efforts from governments, non-profit organizations and health-care practitioners around the world, HIV and AIDS is still having huge global impact.
- 40 million people living with HIV worldwide (2.2 million children)
- 5 million people newly infected with HIV in 2004
- 90% of people living with HIV are in developing countries
- Only 12% of people needing anti-HIV drugs in developing countries receive them
- 3 million people died of AIDS in 2003
- Over 20 million total AIDS deaths to date
View a Fact Sheet on AIDS in Mississippi provided by the Mississippi AIDS Advocacy Coalition.
Link Us
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Related Links
- HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet (Adobe Reader required)
- provided by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation - AIDS Services Coalition, Hattiesburg, MS
