MISS UNIVERSE 2008:Cheritable Alliances

Because over 41 million people are living with HIV/AIDS - 47% of them are women and roughly one-third are young people between the ages of 15 and 24; because more than 14,000 people were infected with HIV last year; and because AIDS is the deadliest infectious disease among adults and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, every MISS UNIVERSE® has the job of traveling the world to speak on behalf of her official cause, HIV/AIDS awareness.

She uses her title to champion HIV/AIDS prevention, particularly among adolescents, and to promote the rights of women and youth to information on family planning and receiving proper sexual and reproductive health care and services. During her reign, Miss Universe will be involved with the Latino Commission on AIDS, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), Cable Positive, and amfAR among other organizations.

We encourage you to contact any or all of these organizations. By educating yourself about HIV/AIDS, lending a hand and making a donation, you can bring about change.