Apple is marking its 15th year of raising money for the fight to end AIDS. The Cupertino firm says its customers have raised almost $270 million through buying PRODUCT(RED) devices.
Apple’s first (PRODUCT)RED product was the 2006 special edition of the iPod nano. A portion of the profits from the special iPod nano went directly to the Global Fund to help with programs for women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
“Since 2006, Apple customers have helped raise nearly $270 million to fund prevention, testing, and counseling services for people impacted by HIV/AIDS,” says the company in a statement issued to mark World AIDS Day.
“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,” it continues. “In 2020 alone, Apple’s support for (RED) helped prevent over 145,000 HIV-positive mothers from passing the virus on to their babies.”
With support from Apple, (RED) has been able to expand its scope to provide additional services and support to the vulnerable communities that are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Over the past 18 months, COVID-19 has created new challenges in accessing care, diagnostics, and supplies, often further stretching crucial HIV/AIDS programs. To meet these challenges, Apple was one of the first companies to shift attention and resources to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response.
Apple says that “half of the eligible proceeds from PRODUCT(RED) purchases will be redirected” to the pandemic response “to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on the fight to end AIDS.” The COVID-19 contributions will continue “through the end of next year.”
Now through December 6, Apple is donating $1 to the Global Fund for every purchase made with Apple Pay on apple.com, in the Apple Store app, or at an Apple Store.
Starting today, Apple Watch users can show their support for (RED) directly from their wrist with a selection of six Apple Watch faces in red available for download from apple.com/product-red. Once downloaded, these faces can also be shared with other Apple Watch users with Face Sharing.
As is traditional, Apple Stores around the world are also acknowledging this week by once again changing their Apple logos to red, or creating window displays.