In a Forbes opinion piece, Barbara Pierce Bush, CEO and co-founder of Global Health Corps and a board member of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reflects on the global AIDS response over the last decade, writing, “Very rarely, a crisis occurs that is so urgent it galvanizes the unlikeliest partners and brings out the best in all of them. A decade ago, the global AIDS epidemic did just that.” She states, “Americans from across ideologies and interests — concerned citizens young and old, Republicans and Democrats, the faithful and the agnostic, celebrities, doctors and scientists — joined forces to support incredible progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS on the continent,” prompting “other countries to contribute whatever resources they could — both bilaterally, though programs like PEPFAR, and through multilateral partnerships like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.”

“The U.S. is the largest supporter of the Global Fund, which partners with PEPFAR to strengthen and expand the work of both initiatives,” Bush notes, adding, “This funding and support have seen returns that could not have been imagined 10 years ago.” She states, “In addition to marking PEPFAR’s 10th anniversary, 2013 is a replenishment year for the Global Fund. … Support for the Global Fund is critical to reaching our goals and making the most of U.S. leadership and investment.” She concludes, “Despite our differences, in the spirit of partnership and camaraderie, there is no limit to what we can do. … It’s going to take continued partnership, support and resources to get from one million babies to every baby — an entire generation born HIV-free” (7/21).