The anniversary organized by Kathleen's 5 AIDS Awareness Charity is being followed by a charity gala dinner at Kathleen's 5 restaurant and late night dance party.

For the fifth consecutive year, Shanghai sympathisers are lighting candles in the 'Many Lights for Human Rights' campaign committed to the global effort of fighting Aids.

The charity dinner for around 150 guests is featuring live performances by local Chinese opera and jazz celebrities including JAZZ du FUNK, Heidi Krenn and Steve Sweeting. It also includes an auction of items donated by local supporters and companies.

Hosting the evening is UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador James Chau.

Tickets for the gala dinner are now on sale at RMB 1,000 (Contact Jason Mao on 6327 0591 ext.23 or email jason@kathleens5.com).

All proceeds are being donated to the Chi Heng foundation supporting China's orphans and destitute families affected by AIDS.

The 'after party' at Kathleen's 5 is from 10pm till late, featuring DJ Michael and DJ E.San, with tickets priced at RMB120 including two drinks.

The Kathleen's 5 AIDS Awareness Charity (http://charity.kathleens5.com) has rallied both the local and foreign business community in support of the annual fundraiser.

More information is available at www.kathleens5.com and the Chi Heng Foundation at www.chfaidsorphans.com.

Shanghai International Hospital is a comprehensive, international standard healthcare organization conveniently located in Pudong Jing Qiao area in Shanghai. As part of the Huashan Hospital, one of the nation's highest-level medical teaching and research centers, Shanghai International Hospital provides our patients with the best medical expertise and clinical service. Shanghai International Hospital is also a world class medical care provider with extensive experience as the official provider of many international events such as 2008 Olympic Games and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Shanghai.

Shanghai International Hospital is equipped with state of the art medical technologies including CT, MRI, Color Doppler, Cyber knife, Intraoperative navigation system, DSA, etc.; 200 general beds, 20 ICU beds, 20 CCU beds, 12 emergency observation beds, 11 high standard operation rooms and a comprehensive health screening centre; and our laboratory equipments are one of the best in Asia with the world leading brands. The system is accredited by CAP.

Our hospital has specialties in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology, Oncology, Oral surgery, GYN and Neurosurgery.

The opening of our Outpatient Medical Services will provide Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. All other specialty and inpatient services will be available in the near future and is currently available on an on-call basis.

Patient assistance is available for medical records, treatment plan, language translation, health education, and direct billing. We have arranged direct payment system contracts with global insurance companies and dedicated account representatives will assist you and your family with medical details before, during and after a patient's visit to our hospital.
Quality at our hospital is about the patient's experience — from the first phone call to the appointment. Ask for our friendly services: deposits and payment information; cost estimates and updates for medical services; and assistance in contacting patients' insurance providers.

Our team of international staff has extensive experience in medical treatment and patient care. All medical professionals have been selected based on their specialty expertise. They are highly respected in their respective specialties and many of whom have practiced overseas to bring the best practices in caring for our patients.
We are fully committed in providing you with customized medical care and a comprehensive range of services to meet all your medical needs in a safe and professional environment. Welcome to the Shanghai International Hospital!

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Ms. Jennifer Kung
  E-mail: Jennifer.kung@hhp.org.cn
  http://www.hhp.org.cn
  Tel: 021-3871-9999 ext 2803

With the threat of bird flu, swine flu, and SARS, people are instinctively taking extra precautions to safeguard their health – so it's no wonder surgical face masks are flying off shelves in droves. And everyone knows that when you've got a mass of people wearing surgical masks on their faces, it's not only scary, but fashionably depressing.

But who says you have to cramp your style in the name of protection? Certainly not Stylemask.com, as this brilliant company has rolled out a line of designer face mask covers to lift moods, and appease the fashionista in you.

"I was strolling thru the city of Hong Kong (during my holiday this summer), and I saw all the businessmen wearing their luxurious suits, and ugly white or greenish face masks. It looked sort of weird, so I immediately thought of creating something more fashionable and unique" says the 31-year old creator of Stylemask.com, Andreas Zoerb.

Zoerb goes on to say, "Stylemask.com is the first company to offer handcrafted, designer face mask covers that fit over medical masks to give wearers a sense of style without compromising their safety."

Patrons who are interested in getting their hands on a fashionable mask cover from Stylemask.com can cruise the website, and choose from a variety of styles to accommodate any type of attire – from casual, to business, to ballroom bests. And it doesn't matter if you're male or female, Stylemasks.com offers protective face mask covers for everyone to enjoy.

For More Info, please visit www.stylemask.com

About Stylemask.com:
In these uncertain times, Stylemask.com is leading the way, and redefining how people view wearing surgical face masks for protection.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Andreas Zoerb
  Salzertstr. 9
  79540 Loerrach
  Germany
  Email: mail@stylemask.com

The main objective of this competition was to build and strengthen the "Gloria Family Culture" and to reinforce the sense of belonging to Gloria Hotels & Resorts. The competition's panel of judges was constituted of Mr. Guo Fangming, renowned Makeup Artist of GIVENCHY in China, Professor Wang Shian of Suzhou University Music Department and Miss Yan Yafen, well-known Actress of Suzhou Kunqu Theater. Suzhou famous TV host, Mr. Wei Jie and Miss Xu Li were invited to preside the event.

Competition was staged in three categories i.e. cheongsam, talent, and evening gown. All the candidates won the warm applause but also offered guests a magnificent visual feast through their brilliant performances.

The Results of the Second Miss Gloria Ambassador Competition:
Miss Gloria Ambassador and Miss Photogenic: Grace Xue of Gloria Plaza Hotel Suzhou
The Runner-Up: Ally Wang of Gloria Plaza Hotel Suzhou
The Second Runner-Up and Miss Personality: Christina Lian of Dragon Spring Hotel Beijing

Key responsibility of Miss Gloria Ambassador is to attend all events organized by Gloria Hotels & Resorts and act as the "Ambassador" for the group in the following twelve months.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Vikki Wei (Ms.)
  Group Marketing Communications Executive
  Gloria Hotels & Resorts
  Tel: (86) 10-6515 7878 ext. 2859
  Fax: (86) 10-6515 8511
  E-mail: gmce@gloriahotels.com
  Website: www.gloriahotels.com

Kathleen's 5 was one of the first businesses in Shanghai to organize a city-wide fundraiser to help Aids-affected children and in promoting Aids-prevention education. She has rallied the support of the foreign business community in contributing to this worthy cause. Her co-benefiter this year, as in the other 3 years, are the Shanghai Red Cross and UNDP. Each year, over 90 companies contribute their time, products, and money.

For the Fourth year in a row, the recipients are the Aids Department of Infectious Disease, the Chi Heng Foundation.

Through them, funds will be spent on the education of children who have lost one or both parents to Aids. These healthy children, not infected, would otherwise not be able to continue their education. Also helped, are Aids prevention efforts and Aids victims who have lost their jobs and family support due to stigma associated with this disease.

Mark May 16 on your Calendar
As for Main sponsors and organizations who are also helping, we have Eddie's bar, lefevere peletier & associes, Dezan Shira & Associates and China Briefing Media Ltd.

Performers from DJ Michael, Jazz de funk, Baby Monky will sponsor their talents all through the evening of May 16.

Seats at the Gala are 1000RMB. Private individuals, companies, and others supporters are digging deep and reserving tables, bringing along friends and associates ( 50% already sold ). The After party "celebration" will start from 10pm with tickets sold at 120RMB with 2 drinks.

Suppliers of Kathleen's 5 are also delivering their goods at no cost for the evening.

The theme of the evening will be a celebration of the efforts of those with a giving spirit. By making May 16 a fun-filled evening, more people will be encourage to come, enjoy and to give. Kathleen's 5 and her sponsors promises that May 16 that all guests will be entertained and dazzled while contributing to an important cause.

This year is particularly significant as helping Aids victims and Aids education is one of the priorities of China's Central Government. Although the exact numbers continues to be vague as local areas are reluctant to make such counts resulting in massive under reporting, experts on all levels agree that the problem will reach epidemic proportions if not addressed immediately. When President Hu Jing Tao shakes the hands of an AIDS victim it is evident that the government wants to remove the stigma that oftentimes hinders aids prevention efforts.

Kathleen's 5 continues to do our part and calls on the larger Shanghai community to come and support our efforts.

Contact Jason or Franck at 6327 4466 ext. 23 or franck@kathleens5.com for tickets, raffles, and more information on this important evening. www.kathleens5.com

Foundation: Chi Heng Foundation www.chfaidsorphans.com
Patients from Shanghai AIDS Hospital through the Red cross special K5 account

Beijing, China (28 November, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF and the Zeshan Foundation (Hong Kong) co-sponsored an AIDS and multimedia exhibit and reception hosted by the Yuanfen New Media Art Space in Dashanzi (798 Art District). The exhibit features five large; hand knitted and decorated red scarves, videos and animation pieces all representing AIDS affected populations – women, young people, farmers, minorities and men who have sex with men (MSM).

The Red Scarf Project and multimedia exhibition communicate one simple truth – "Our lives are like the yarn of the scarf, all knitted together – not one less."

"Despite progress in recent years, there remains an urgent need to strengthen the general population's knowledge, awareness, and understanding of HIV and those living with the virus," said Subinay Nandy, UNDP Country Director in China.

"The Art community, working a long side woman, men and young people living with HIV, are in a perfect position to facilitate creative development and sustained distribution of HIV anti stigma images and messages."

This exhibit marked the launch of the Dandelion Online Support Network for Women living with HIV 'Red Scarf Project', a perpetual living work in progress which aims to help reduce stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. The scarf project symbolizes solidarity with those living with HIV and is support by the AIDS Relief Fund for China.

In addition to the red scarves, the multimedia exhibit also featured the following:

"The Scarf" mini documentary – This 10 minute short film documents the making of the scarves through the lives of individuals living with HIV. Commissioned by UNDP and shot in five provinces over a period of two weeks, "The Scarf" tells the story of five affected populations: women, farmers, children, minorities, and men who have sex with men (MSM). The film was conceived and directed by San Francisco based documentary film maker Humphrey Wou.

Seven Video Slide Shows – These video slide shows feature the five groups contributing to the Red Scarf and depict the "positive lives" of people living with HIV from around China through their own eyes.

Animation pieces – These imaginative graphic and computer designed animation pieces were designed and produced by animation students from the Communication University of China and the Beijing Film Academy.

"Artists in many societies recognize that they have a responsibility to reach out into the community and, using their artistic talents, improve the lives of others," commented David Ben Kay, Yuanfen New Media Art Space Curator.

"Working with those who are stigmatized by society, the artist plays a dual role: first, through his own art, he can act as the medium to communicate to a larger audience the pains and sorrows and the joys and accomplishments of those too afraid or too weak to speak out; second, the artist can also act as an inspiration – to help those with a message to find their own voices."

On Saturday, November 29th, the 'Red Scarf Project' exhibit will travel to Shanghai to participate in the 'Truth is a Virus: 2008 2nd Annual Touch Without Danger' Contemporary Art Exhibition at the River South Art Centre with Marie Stopes International China.

"The 'Truth Without Virus' exhibition is an excellent demonstration of the powerful impact collaborations between artists and charities can have on the response to AIDS," stated Lily Liu, Director of Marie Stopes International China. "The artworks displayed, provide a unique opportunity to highlight the stigma facing PLHIV by challenging our conceptions of the 'Virus'.

This exhibition is the second collaboration between Marie Stopes International and independent contemporary art curator Zoe Zhang Bing. Zoe was first inspired to hold a charity exhibition benefiting AIDS prevention when she discovered that much of what she knew about AIDS was inaccurate, fueled by rumor rather than truth. She became intent on spreading the truth about AIDS.

UNDP, UNAIDS, the Zeshan Foundation and Marie Stopes International China are major supporters of the 'Truth is a Virus: 2008 exhibition in Shanghai.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Edmund Settle, HIV programme specialist, UNDP China
  +86-10 8532-0775 or edmund.settle@undp.org

  Diana Gao, HIV programme associate, UNDP China
  +86-10 8532-0776

  David Ben Kay, Curator, Yuanfen New Media Art Space
  +86 13701210866 or davidbenkay@gmail.com

  Lily Liu, County Representative, Marie Stopes China
  +86-10 8485-4988 or lilyliu@youandme.net.cn
  

Beijing, China (November 27, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Yahoo! China have partnered together in an innovative partnership to increase access to HIV and AIDS information for Chinese internet users.

"UNDP continues to work with the private sector in creative ways to involve the private sector in the response to AIDS," stated Napoleon Navarro, UNDP Deputy Country Director. "Working with Yahoo brings a wealth of experiences and knowhow to develop innovative messages and utilize key distribution platforms to reach diverse population groups."

The internet has long been identified as a key platform to increase user's access to HIV awareness and prevention information. Current internet based interventions consist of establishing websites and chat rooms. However, these mechanisms alone have been ineffective in providing key access to the majority of internet users. According to a recent study released by UNAIDS, some 83% have never actively sought information on HIV.

The partnership between UNDP and Yahoo (www.yahoo.cn) aims to innovatively use search engines to provide a higher level and direct entry point to HIV prevention information for users not directly searching for HIV. By using search string technology, Yahoo will provide advertisement space with the key message: "Do you know about HIV and HIV Testing?" when the search topic is linked to over 20 high risk behaviors related key words such as sex, porn and gay.

This partnership builds on UNDP's ongoing efforts to increase access to HIV awareness information to millions of Chinese by working with commercial media and advertisement companies, government partners, production companies, people living with HIV and UN partners. Over the past two years, these public private partnerships have led to the development and distribution of key anti stigma and safer sex messages via video advertisement platforms on buses, trains, airports and billboards throughout university campuses and gas stations.

According to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), China has over 210 million internet users, with the average age being 25 years old and students accounting for 32.3 percent.

Yahoo search is a global leader in search engine technology with dozens of patent technology, precision computing power to support 38 languages, services more than 50 percent of the world's Internet search needs. According to the CNNIC, Yahoo is one of the top three search engines in China.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Edmund Settle, HIV programme specialist, UNDP
  edmund.settle@undp.org or 86-10 8532-0775
  

Beijing, China (November 29, 2007) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — The United Nations has hosted a ceremony to launch a joint project that aims to empower and support the significant involvement of women and men living with HIV (PLHIV) as meaningful partners in China's multi-sector response to AIDS.

A key activity of Maries Stopes International China (MSIC), the "Positive Talks" project aims to train and support a core group of 35 women and men living with HIV and AIDS from around China to serve as effective policy advocates and peer educators. They will give "positive talks" in various HIV-related advocacy, prevention, care and awareness activities initiated by different organizations such as public and private sector companies, health care centers, schools, NGOs and the media.

"Positive Talks" is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) through the UN Joint Programme on AIDS in China (2007 – 2010), and is implemented by the China International Center for Economics and Technology Exchange (CICETE).

"The 'Positive Talks' Project not only builds up the confidence of the trainers in their own capacities and their relevant role in China's HIV response," said Kang Hui, Positive Talks Project Manager, "but also inspires the participants to accept their status and gives them the opportunities and support to increase the understanding of the general population about HIV and those living with the virus."

Widespread stigma and shame affect prevention and treatment efforts and are recognized to be major contributors to the spread of the HIV epidemic. Because HIV is often wrongly perceived as a disease exclusive to marginalized groups (such as drug users, men who have sex with men – MSM- and sex workers) and judgmentally viewed as being caused by "morally blameful" behaviors , people are deterred from talking about HIV and getting tested.

This attitude also makes people less likely to recognize and acknowledge their risk of infection. As a consequence, individuals who are positive are identified too late and unknowingly become channels of HIV transmission.

"There is a stronger need than ever to reach the general public and 'humanize' the face of the HIV epidemic — presenting it as a reality that can affect everybody, rather than a distant possibility affecting 'others'. In so doing, we can counter prejudice, ignorance and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS," stated Subinay Nandy, UNDP Country Director in China.

This unique project represents a concrete opportunity for those most directly affected by stigma and discrimination to speak about their experiences and show the human aspects of HIV and AIDS. This, in turn, provides an opportunity to inspire other people who are diagnosed with HIV to accept their status and, via a "People living with HIV have been shown to have a significant and lasting impact on people's awareness of their vulnerability to the disease, thereby changing social myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS," said UNAIDS Country Director, Bernhard Schwartlander.

This groundbreaking project is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Stora Enso, a Finland-based global forest products company.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Kang Hui, Positive Talks Project Manager, MSIC
  chnpoz@hotmail.com or (86-10) 8485-4988 ext. 10

  Edmund Settle, HIV/AIDS Programme Specialist, UNDP
  edmund.settle@undp.org or (86-10) 8532-0775

[smpr_tags]The United Nations, "Positive Talks", HIV[/smpr_tags]