Thursday December 1 marks World AIDS day as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and (RED) build awareness and fundraise for donations and support.
AHF has launched an all week Twitter campaign to promote the cause asking Twitter members to follow @AIDSHealthcare and retweet hash tags #WorldAIDSDay and #LifeGift.
The campaign was launched on November 29. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will also be sharing and reaching out through Facebook, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
Last year through a (RED) initiative, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga and other celebrities on Twitter and Facebook went silent on World AIDS Day until $1 million was raised for Alicia Keys' charity Keep a Child Alive.
This year (RED) has joined with ONE to launch a digital campaign to build a quilt of photos and images sent in from people all over the world who are pledging to join the fight against AIDS. (RED) is dedicated to inspiring a change that will lead to an AIDS free generation by 2015.
How these organizations are using social media
Foursquare
(RED) invites foursquare users to follow their organization for tips on buying (RED) products that contribute funds and proceeds to fighting AIDS. Each location's tips also shares how businesses are turning "(RED)" on World AIDS Day.
Facebook
Both (RED) and AHF have utilized Facebook leading up to today, sharing status updates and building customized tabs to inform and spread awareness.
Tumblr
The growing microblogging platform is the new home of the AHF blog. The media rich network allows AHF to share images and content about what the foundation is doing globally to advocate the fight against AIDS.
LinkedIn
AHF has built a company profile on LinkedIn to connect with professionals and unite their employees. This allows all AHF employees sharing within their professional network to also spread information with others.
YouTube
Because of the (RED) celebrity support, YouTube is a powerful social outlet to raise awareness. There are a number of videos featuring celebrities who have joined the fight along with short films that educate viewers about (RED) and the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
Twitter
Because of the real-time features, hashtags and follower community on Twitter, it is one of the most resourceful and effective networks for charities and social good campaigns. Friends on Facebook may share within their network but since most profiles are publicly accessible on Twitter, tweets have a broader reach and are more likely to go viral.
"We hope that AHF's World AIDS Day twitter campaign has something for everyone and empowers all who come in contact with it to take some action this week - whether by donating or by getting the message out through their social networks. As with all donations to AIDS Healthcare Foundation, 96 cents of every $1 raised will go directly toward providing care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide," said Lori Yeghiayan, Associate Director of Communications for AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Today 34 million people are living with HIV. Social media gives a voice to not only these organizations but also the people who have joined in the fight.
To donate $10 to AHF text "LIFEGIFT" to "20222." Or visit (RED) to add your patch to the quilt and pledge to make a difference in the world's fight to end AIDS.