Posts
Boulder-based Sir Richard’s Condom
Co. has vowed to match each condom sale with a condom donation in order to
combat HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancies in developing nations. The first
giveaway of 500,000 condoms is underway in Haiti.
Sir Richard’s is working with
Boston-based Partners in Health, which has been active in Haiti since 1987. PIH
is building a new hospital in Mirebalais, 30 miles north of Port-au-Prince, to
help replace medical facilities damaged by the 2010 earthquake.
“PIH is deeply grateful for Sir
Richard’s partnership in this mission,” said Christopher Hamon, who works for
the nonprofit. “Reinforcing the importance of condom use and ensuring that
condoms are available and accessible is key to our battle against the spread of
HIV/AIDS.”
Sir Richard’s CEO Jim Moscou said
the condoms will feature Haitian Creole-style packaging and will be delivered
soon from the company’s manufacturing plant in Malaysia. “There is a huge
global shortage of condoms,” Moscou explained. “We’re using the power of
business for social good. Will we lose a few dollars? Yes. But that’s our
commitment as a company.” Moscou hopes to do the giveaways twice a year. Beyond
Haiti, Moscou sees potential partnerships and giveaways in Thailand and Uganda.
The World Health Organization
estimates that less than 17 percent of contraceptive needs are met in
developing countries today. Unwanted pregnancies have spiked in Haiti since the
2010 earthquake. An estimated 5 billion condoms are sold in the world each
year, with the United States accounting for about 10 percent of sales.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
