People purchasing PRODUCT(RED) devices have now helped Apple raise nearly $270 million in contributions to help fight against HIV and AIDS in the 15 years since the charity partnered with the company on the 2006 (RED)-branded iPod nano.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Apple customers have helped raise $270 million to fight HIV/AIDS
- The company made the announcement on World AIDS Day
- Apple is marking the week with various initiatives
- Also, new ways to support (RED)’s fight against COVID-19
Apple has raised $270 million to fight HIV/AIDS to date
Honoring World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, the Cupertino company acknowledges it’s managed to raise approximately $270 million in donations to date for the fight to end HIV and AIDS. The funds help provide prevention, testing and support for communities most in need in sub-Saharan Africa.
The figure stood at approximately $250 million at this time last year, meaning customers have managed to contribute an additional $20 million to the fund in a single year.
Apple-supported grants have enabled care and support services for over 11 million people, provided over 192 million HIV tests, and allowed over 13.8 million people access to life-saving antiretroviral treatments. In 2020 alone, Apple’s support for (RED) helped prevent over 145,000 HIV-positive mothers from passing the virus on to their babies.
A portion of the proceeds from every (PRODUCT)RED purchase goes to the Global Fund to fight HIV and AIDS, with half of those proceeds going to the Global Fund’s COVID‑19 Response from now through the end of 2022. The initiative will help mitigate the impact of COVID‑19 on the fight to end AIDS.
How Apple contributes to (RED)
“As COVID-19 continues to impact communities around the world, including those living with HIV, the fight to end global pandemics is more urgent than ever,” reads a press release the company published on its Apple Newsroom on World AIDS Day.
You can also help save lives by using Apple Pay: Until December 6, all purchases made with Apple Pay help fund (RED)‘s fight against AIDS and COVID‑19. Apple will donate $1 for every purchase made with Apple Pay on apple.com, through the Apple Store app or at an Apple Store. Read: How to remotely disable Apple Pay if you’ve lost you iOS device
Other ways Apple is marking World AIDS Day include red logos or window displays on Apple stores, educational content via services like TV, Books, Music and Podcasts and more. On App Store, an app called Positive Singles is being featured. This is an inclusive dating app that connects singles living with HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.
About Product(RED) products from Apple
Over the past 15 years, Apple customers could support the Global Fund by purchasing special edition Apple products, marked with “Product(RED)”. Functionally, the only difference between Product(RED) devices and normal ones is their bright red color and (RED) branding on the back. Currently, the company is offering (RED)-branded watches, phones, accessories and more, including (RED) bands and matching watch faces to download from apple.com/product-red.