Activists:
Li Dan
Li Dan is an important AIDS activist in the Henan province of China. He was beaten by authorities and taken to an unknown location. Wan Yanhai who is the leader of Aizhi (HIV) Action Project in Beijing said that Li Dan and his colleague were going to a village whose residents were planning to protest against the Chinese government’s management of the AIDS epidemic. Li’s colleague was released, but Li has not been heard from since. Wan Yanhai says that the government is ignoring the abuse of AIDS activists by local authorities in Henan, China. Li Dan operated a charity to help AIDS orphans and operated a school for AIDS orphans until it was shut down. Before Li Dan’s arrest, four other activists were released. These four activists were arrested while trying to leave for Beijing to sign a petition requesting support for AIDS victims in the Henan province. Many human rights groups accuse the Chinese government of stifling AIDS activists. In May 2004, Hu Jia was put under house arrest to prevent him from traveling to Henan where the U.S. ambassador Clark Randt was visiting. Li Dan was later released but was beat up heavily by “thugs.” He was beaten for trying to speak out against AIDS.
http://www.actupny.org/reports/Bangkok/chinese.html
Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova
In the summer of 2004, Natalie Glebova publicly took an HIV test and visited numerous children with the disease. In November 2005, she traveled through India as a part of an AIDS awareness tour. She also recorded the public service announcement for the Unite For Children Unite Against AIDS campaign in both English and Russian.
http://www.uniteforchildren.org/press/press_33215.htm
Lang Lang
At 23 years old, Lang Lang is UNICEF’s youngest celebrity supporter. He became UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador on May 20, 2004. He views music as a language and feels that the best way to reach the children is through music. Lang Lang is an extraordinary piano player who deeply connects with his audience through his music and his expression. Lang Lang was born into a musical family and had his first recital at the age of five. He entered the Central Music Conservatory of China at age nine.
http://www.uniteforchildren.org/press/press_28965.htm
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is a world famous performer and was appointed Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF on September 17, 2003. She is part of many humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the battle against HIV/AIDS. She conducts interviews and produces media to help raise money for UNICEF in developing countries. On October 27, 2005, Whoopi recorded a public service announcement for the Unite for Children Unite Against AIDS campaign.
http://www.uniteforchildren.org/press/press_30331.htm
Jenna Bush
Jenna Bush, daughter of US President Bush, is an important figure working to increase awareness for AIDS Orphans. She was an intern for UNICEF for nine months begging in 2006, where she met many AIDS orphans in Latin America. She wrote the book "Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope" which retells the true life story of Ana, who lived through many difficult trials including abuse, discrimination, pregnancy, and infection with HIV. "Ana's Story" can be bought through Amazon, and a portion of profits will go to UNICEF.
http://www.unicefusa.org/site/c.duLRI8O0H/b.3456307/k.4A50/Jenna_Bush_and_UNICEF.htm