We recently announced that a coalition of partners are calling on President Obama, Congress, and HHS to formally recognize National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.  Now, we need your help.  Call your Congressional Representative today and ask him or her to support the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day by signing on to the letter asking President Obama to formally recognize the Day.

Click through for a sample script and contact information.

 "If we put young people at the forefront — if we prioritize young people as key partners — we can get to an AIDS-free generation. Young people have the power to prevent HIV, but we can't do it alone. All of us have to be in this fight together. Which is why in this place, at this time, at this crucial moment in our fight, we call on President Obama, Congress, and each and every one of you to declare April 10 National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day!"

That's what Lawrence, an HIV positive youth activist from Ohio, said last week when activists from across the country joined together to call for the formal recognition of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD).

Already, policymakers are starting to pay attention.

Last week, at the International AIDS Conference, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) announced her support for the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. Now, along with Congressman McDermott (WA-7) and Congresswoman Christensen (VI), Congresswoman Lee has authored a letter to President Obama in support of the Day.

We need your help. Call your Representative and ask him or her to support the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day by signing on to the letter asking President Obama to formally recognize the Day.

It's simple. All you have to do is call the Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask for your Representative. (Unsure who that is? Check here.)

When you are connected, this is a script you can use:

"Hi. My name is _______ and I'm from _______. I'm calling to ask Representative _______ to sign on to Congresswoman Lee's letter to President Obama asking for formal recognition of the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. Over 35,000 young people are living with HIV in the United States, and we make up the highest percentage of new infections. To reach an AIDS-free Generation, young people must be included as partners in this fight. We must demonstrate the political will necessary to ensure all young people's rights to the sexual health education and services that can help them protect their health and save their lives."

If the office has any additional questions, you can direct them to Congresswoman Lee's office.

We only have until Thursday to get as many co-signers as possible — so call today!

Sincerely,

Sarah Audelo
Senior Manager, Domestic Policy
Advocates for Youth

P.S. Have you signed on in support of the National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day yet? If not, do it here!