GWB WaPost op-ed: 'Extend the success against AIDS to other devastating diseases'

Photo from The Bush Center

Former President George W. Bush has spent much of his time since leaving the White House working on humane projects around the world. During a visit in December 2011 and again this summer, he and Mrs. Bush led an international delegation of volunteers and leaders to Zambia and Botswana for the opening of a women's cancer screening clinic as they launched Project Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon.

Writing an op-ed for the Washington Post, President Bush talked about those efforts and appealed to the delegates attending the 2012 International AIDS Conference about continuing and extending that help to those who need it:

Some 25,000 delegates are gathering in Washington this week for the 2012 International AIDS Conference. This is a moment of exceptional promise. Gains in AIDS treatment are remarkable — and continuing.

One of the saddest tragedies in the world is for people to die of HIV/AIDS when lifesaving medicines are available. Just a decade ago, that tragedy was playing out across Africa. Thanks to the generosity of the American people, this is no longer the case today.

Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis — working with committed governments, faith-based and community organizations, and the private sector — treatment and prevention have advanced at an almost unimaginable pace.

As the President noted, "... to continue the momentum in the fight against AIDS, America must continue to lead. Having seen the need and accepted the challenge, we can’t turn our backs now."

Since leaving the shark pool of Washington, DC, this compassionate man has made humanitarian work a big part of his life. His op-ed appealing to world leaders for more funding is a continuation of his good works.