Letter to the editor: Mike Doyle can help fight global AIDS crisis

Over the past 15 years, we’ve made immense progress in the global AIDS fight, but the disease remains a deadly crisis. Every day, the AIDS epidemic claims 2,500 lives.

Earlier this year, the House Appropriations Committee took a big step toward continuing America’s leadership in the AIDS fight by maintaining our historic one-third commitment for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, one of the most effective and efficient health partnerships on the planet.

Today, the countries most affected by AIDS are contributing more to the fight than ever before. But the battle is far from over, and the U.S. must continue to play a critical leadership role.

Viruses like HIV do not respect borders. Congressman Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, can help us win the fight against AIDS by standing up, speaking out and supporting America’s one-third commitment to the Global Fund ($1.56 billion), which will be used to incentivize billions of dollars in investments from other donors and save millions of innocent lives.

As an activist and volunteer, I have seen the benefits of life-sustaining HIV/AIDS medications. Disease prevention and treatment should be a fundamental human right.

Karla Doolittle

Bloomfield