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For Immediate Release
February 2, 2004
THE BALM IN GILEAD, INC.™ WITH SINGER MELBA MOORE JOIN FORCES WITH AIDS WALK TO HELP RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS OF HIV/AIDS IN THE BLACK FAITH COMMUNITY
(NEW YORK, NY) –April 16, 2004. . . The Balm In Gilead,
Inc, the only organization in the United States dedicated
exclusively to empowering the Black faith community
in the struggle against the devastation
of HIV/AIDS for more than 15 years, has officially signed
on with the support of singer and Tony award-winning
actress Melba Moore to be an active community
participant in AIDS Walk New York May 16, 2004 in New
York City’s
Central Park.
"This is the time for all of us to come together, participate
and make a difference,” says Pernessa C. Seele, CEO and Founder, The
Balm In Gilead. “AIDS Walk New York offers The Balm In Gilead an opportunity
to demonstrate our commitment to confront this epidemic,
while raising funds and showing solidarity with our
brothers and sisters. We must not let the
silence, denial and stigma of HIV/AIDS continue to cripple
our community's response to this devastating pandemic.”
All funds donated to The Balm In Gilead Team No. 8391
through AIDS Walk New York will benefit the organization’s ongoing
work in the United States, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Singer and actress Melba Moore has volunteered to lead
The Balm In Gilead’s team on its first AIDS Walk this year. “I
am especially pleased to be a part of The Balm In Gilead’s team,” said
Ms. Moore. “It is so important for each of us to step up and take
part in this critical fight to help save our people.”
Of the estimated
40,000 new HIV infections each year, more than 50 percent
occur among African Americans.
AIDS is the number one cause of death for Black adults
aged 25 to 44, before heart disease, cancer
and homicide.
The Balm In Gilead, established in 1989,
is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization
with an international mission to stop the spread
of HIV/AIDS throughout the African Diaspora by building the capacity of
faith communities to provide
AIDS education, SERVICE and support networks for all people living with and affected
by HIV/AIDS. AIDS Walk fundraising events began in 1985 as a community-based
response to the then new epidemic, "AIDS."
Ms. Moore’s latest
CD I’m Still Here is her first album in 12 years
and her first Gospel CD. Her career began with the Broadway musical “Hair” where
she was the first Black actress to replace a White actress in a leading role
on Broadway. However, it was her show-stopping performance in "Purlie," that
won her a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in a musical, again making her
the first Black actress to do so.
To register to be a part of The Balm In Gilead’s Team (#8391) click here or www.aidswalk.net/newyork. For more information,
contact The Balm In Gilead AIDS Walk Coordinator Tessa Young at (212) 730-7381.
PRESS CONTACT:
Teresa Lyles Holmes
For The Balm In Gilead
212-730-7381
TLH Communications
914-282-5317
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