Apple has donated more than £22 million to the fight against AIDS in 2017 during a record-breaking year of fundraising, it has been revealed.
Today is World Aids Day, with this year’s campaign promoting ‘the right to health’ and calling for lifesaving medicine to be made available to all 37 million people living with AIDS across the planet by 2030.
Apple has teamed up with the charity (RED) to release 20 new products ranging from iPhone cases to Apple Watch straps, which you can see here.
The tech giant’s products are all coloured red in tribute to the charity and Apple will donate a portion of the proceeds from every sale to its Global Fund.
More than 400 Apple Stores around the world have been lit up in red to mark World AIDS Day.
Apple will also donate $1 to (RED) for every Apple Pay transaction made at a retail location, online, through the Apple Store App or within an app.
‘Connecting through our products and services helps make it easy for our customers to join us in the effort to create the first AIDS-free generation,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.
‘By working with (RED) to stop the transmission of HIV from moms to their unborn babies, we’re already seeing a significant impact in areas where help is needed most. We’re committed to continuing the fight and empowering future generations through these vital efforts.’
Apple has spent more than a decade contributing to the fight against AIDS, raising a total of $30 million this year alone and contributing a massive $160 million (£119 million) over 11 years.
This year was the tech behemoth’s most successful fundraising year to date, with the cash raised equating to 144 million days worth of ARV medication which prevents the transmission of HIV from mothers to their unborn babies.
‘Apple’s commitment to the AIDS fight is unparalleled. It’s not just the staggering $160 million raised for the Global Fund that has impacted many millions of lives, it’s their ability to bring heat, awareness, energy and eyeballs to keep this issue front and centre,” said Deb Dugan, CEO of (RED).
‘Its unwavering support cannot be underestimated, and we thank every Apple employee for helping (RED) reach the milestone of half a billion dollars delivered to help end this disease.’
The Gaming developer King has also released limited edition bundles of Candy Crush Saga, Candy Crush Jelly Saga and Candy Crush Soda Saga, with all proceeds from in-app purchases going to the Global Fund.
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