CHICAGO, -- Today Jack Mackenroth, from the hit reality television series "Project Runway," launched a new online video series, called "Living Positive By Design: Creating Positive Conversations," as part of his national HIV and AIDS education initiative. The Living Positive By Design campaign, supported by Merck & Co., Inc., and online videos aim to encourage thoughtful conversations about HIV and AIDS, to confront HIV stigma and motivate HIV-positive people to have a positive outlook on life while effectively managing their disease.
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"While touring the United States for Living Positive By Design, and speaking about my experiences living with HIV for more than 20 years, I have met so many inspiring people who have devoted much of their lives to HIV awareness and service," said Mackenroth. "I am excited to share the discussions I have had with politicians, advocates, celebrities and HIV doctors with you, as part of my 'Living Positive By Design: Creating Positive Conversations' series, and hope that their touching personal stories will motivate others nationwide."
Now available online is the first ever "Living Positive By Design: Creating Positive Conversations" video from Chicago, IL, a city that is working to battle its high incidence of HIV and AIDS. The video features Jack interviewing the Assistant Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health's STD/HIV/AIDS Division, Christopher Brown; the founder of Sweet Miss Giving's Bakery and Gifting, a bakery that benefits locals affected by HIV and AIDS; and local HIV specialist Dr. Daniel Berger of NorthStar Medical Center. The video features each of these public figures discussing important initiatives and achievements that have been made in an effort to help the local Chicago community affected by HIV and AIDS.
To download the "Living Positive By Design: Creating Positive Conversations" video and widget featuring Chicago interviews and learn more about the campaign, please visit: www.LivingPositiveByDesign.com.
Prevalence of HIV and AIDS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2006 there were more than one million Americans living with HIV and AIDS. In the same year, an estimated 56,000 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. Forty-nine percent of new diagnoses were among African Americans and 50 percent were among men who have sex with men (MSM).
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.
Forward-looking statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements contained in the Company's periodic reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.
