This morning the MAC AIDS Fund held a panel discussion & meeting in London attended by several well known "charities" and groups from the HIV sector. This was to present their survey data on, and have a discussion about, HIV & Stigmatism.

The survey data can be found by clicking here.

I am grateful to the MAC AIDS Fund for allowing me to attend as an observer, though under par at the moment. It was well worth attending.

For those of you who don't know who MAC are.

"Established in 1994 by M·A·C Cosmetics, the M·A·C AIDS Fund supports men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. Introducing its first VIVA GLAM lipstick that same year, M·A·C decided that every cent of the selling price of the VIVA GLAM lipsticks would go to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. With a total of six shades of Viva Glam lipstick and two shades of Viva Glam lipglass now sold worldwide, and through the annual Kids Helping Kids Card Program, M·A·C Cosmetics has provided over $100 million (US) to date for the M·A·C AIDS Fund. The M·A·C AIDS Fund is the heart and soul of the company – with its employees giving their time, energy and talent to help those affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide."

The discussion did touch briefly on poverty though not directly on the DLA issues. However the discussion went well. With many organisations that were in the audience. Raising some very salient points.

The meeting opened with a speech from Mr. John Demsey, Chairman - MAC AIDS Fund.

This was followed by a presentation of the survey data by Nancy Mahon, Senior Vice President - MAC Cosmetics & Executive Director - MAC AIDS Fund.

The survey data for me personally was very interesting in what it showed in terms of peoples perceptions around HIV.

The Panel was Chaired by Andrew Jack - Financial Times.

Panel members were

• Nancy Mahon.
• Elhadj Amadou SY - UNAIDS.
• Jane Anderson - Consultant & Director of the Centre for the Study of Sexual Health and HIV at Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
• Paul Gambaccini - BBC Radio.
• Steven Inman - Head of Grants & Projects Crusaid.
• Deborah Jack - CEO National AIDS Trust.
• Angelina Namiba - Policy & Involvement Manager Positively Women.

The discussion around stigmatism is important here as clearly many of the oppourtunities there are for us to contribute back to society. Have addtional barriers & hurdles because of the perception having HIV has with some of the more general population.

MAC AIDS Fund is making £250,000 availible in grants to organisations that look to tackle the issues around this in the UK.

Thank you for taking such a key role in this.