...In Africa it is

More than 7,000 people die from AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa every day. In many African countries, the HIV/AIDS rate surpasses 25 percent. But, of the more than 25.4 million people in the region that are infected with AIDS, less than one in six has access to anti-retroviral drugs. This is a catastrophe that will only get worse as millions infected in the past decade begin to die from the progressive effects of AIDS - unless people like you step up.

There is hardly a family in Africa that hasn't felt first hand the tragic consequences of AIDS through deaths of loved ones. But, above the emotional trauma of so many lives lost, AIDS is unraveling the economic, social, and political fabric of the continent. Scarce resources that could be used for public works and economic development are instead required to manage the outfall of AIDS.

For example, AIDS has orphaned an estimated 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa. These are children that before would have been raised by their families and communities, adding to the economic well-being of both, but now must be taken care of by the state or outside organizations.

The distribution of anti-retroviral AIDS drugs is a breath of life in a community suffering from the AIDS epidemic. Most people infected with HIV never develop full-blown AIDS when taking the cocktail of AIDS drugs so commonly available in the developed world. Instead, they are able to lead normal, productive lives into old age. In those where HIV has developed to AIDS, these drugs can often stop the viruses' fatal progression. Anti-retroviral drugs greatly decrease the chances of HIV/AIDS from being transmitted from mother to unborn child. The more of these drugs that are made available, the less tragic is the outcome of HIV infection.

How COIP Works For You

COIP has developed an innovative system that enables donors to ensure 100 percent of their donation ends up in the hands of HIV or AIDS infected Africans that would otherwise not have access to AIDS drugs. The innovation lies in separating the purchase of AIDS drugs from the organizations that distribute them. Donors working through COIP purchase AIDS drugs from COIP (at no markup from the wholesale price). Through COIP, the donor then donates the drugs - not money - to Canadian registered charities. These recognized, independent charities then distribute the drugs through their established networks. Through this method a tax receipt is issued to the donors entitling them to a tax credit at the highest marginal rate for the full value of the drugs donated.

The AIDS Cocktail

The World Health Organization has listed these three drugs, which comprise the AIDS Drug Cocktail, as the essential medicines required to treat the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Currently, less than one in six Africans infected with HIV/AIDS have access to these drugs

	Lamivudine [150 mg]
	Zidovudine [300 mg]
	Nevirapine [200 mg]