The Be The Link Campaign is the first of its kind to raise awareness for HIV and AIDs, visually linking 250 influential people in a voice of unity. The goal is to destroy the stigma surrounding the disease and to highlight the need for access to HIV treatment for those who need it.

New York, NY -- (SBWire) -- 10/15/2012 --The Be The Link Campaign is the first of its kind to raise awareness for HIV and AIDs, visually linking 250 influential people in a voice of unity. The goal is to destroy the stigma surrounding the disease and to highlight the need for access to HIV treatment for those who need it.

AIDS is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging the immune system, HIV interferes with the body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. While there have been great strides in the prevention of HIV transmission and care of HIV infection and AIDS since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, there is no cure.

The Be The Link Campaign spreads the message online at be-the-link.org featuring conceptual images of participants and PSAs sending the message that the participants are not just a face in a picture but also a voice for HIV in America. The latest Be The Link news is broadcast via Twitter @bethelink1

Two years in the making, Be The Link will be complete after 250 participants have lent their name and likeness to the campaign. An exhibit of photographic images will be displayed in galleries – one in New York City and one in Los Angeles, symbolically linking both coasts. The New York opening event will be a lavish red carpet affair in an historic architectural facility in Tribeca on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2012. Followed by an opening gala in Los Angeles on February 23, 2013 with location to be announced.

Featuring some of today's most prominent figures in the world of business, entertainment, sports, and politics including: Charlotte Ronson, fashion designer; Phillip Bloch, Hollywood's premier fashion stylist; Adam Sabbagh, entrepreneur, sportsman, media personality, and humanitarian; VH1's Mob Wives Carla Facciolo; fashion model, socialite and heiress Lydia Hearst-Shaw; celebrity stylist and television star Carson Kressley; avant-garde fashion duo The Blonds; Mauricio and Roger Padilha specialists of MAO Public Relations; film producer Cindy Cowan, president of Cowan Entertainment; actor Tommy 'Tiny' Lister; Kate Linder star of The Young and the Restless; reality star Jessica Romano of Jerseylicious; Julie Macklowe founder of luxury cosmetics company vbeauté; Randy Jones, multi-platinum recording artist and founding member of The Village People, Joumana Kidd, journalist and humanitarian; actress Tara Reid; David Mixner, author, political strategist, civil rights activist, and public affairs advisor; Peter Davis, editor-in-chief of SCENE magazine; Todd Thomas, fashion designer; and Sean Stone, director, producer and son of legendary producer Oliver Stone.

The Be The Link Campaign is partners with Until There’s A Cure, a national organization since 1993 dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and funds to combat the pandemic. Until There’s A Cure is committed to: funding innovative programs which promote AIDS awareness and prevention education; providing financial support for care and services for those living with AIDS; and supporting and advocating for AIDS vaccine development which offers the best hope for reducing the spread of HIV. For more information on the foundation, visit until.org

For more information on the campaign, including images and profiles of the participants and campaign resources, visit be-the-link.org or follow on Twitter @bethelink1