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Donetsk Region and Crimea, Ukraine — July 28, 2008 — Across Ukraine, especially in the Crimea and the Eastern regions away from Kiev, HIV/AIDS is still an issue that is often not discussed. And although it is still a targeted outbreak in this country, nothing helps spread a disease more quickly than silence.

IRD, in partnership with the government of Ukraine and the U.S. Agency for International Development, is working to give a voice to people living with HIV/AIDS through the "Reducing Stigma and Discrimination" (RSAD) program. The hope is their voice, and the support of the country, will help prevent HIV/AIDS.

The RSAD program specifically seeks to increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS, raise tolerance and overcome fear and stereotypes towards people living with the disease, and show the communities that a healthy lifestyle can be a good alternative to drugs and alcohol. One of the most successful ways the program has done that is by organizing sports leagues across Ukraine for people living with the disease.

One unprecedented event organized by IRD, a soccer match played at the Crimea State Medical University between the a Crimean team of people living with HIV/AIDS, the “Cowboys”, and Simferopol City Council, was the first time representatives of authorities in Ukraine played on the same field with people living with HIV/AIDS. Four hundred young fans representing Simferopol secondary schools, vocational schools and colleges came to support the teams, and IRD provided all the players with sport apparel and equipment donated by Nike. The total value of Nike's donations across Ukraine was $1.6 million.

“This match helped overcome a barrier that always existed between administration and people living with HIV/AIDS – they always thought that our days are counted and didn’t want to notice our problems and resolve them," said one of the Cowboy players in an interview with journalists. "I hope this small victory will be a step to draw their attention to our problems and help others overcome fears and prejudices towards us.”  

Donetskiy State Medical University, NGO “Molod’ Donbasy”, Department of Education and Science of Donetskiy State Oblast Administration and Mercy Corps were IRD's partners in organizing this event. The event was opened by Dr. Vladimir Udodov, Head of Donetsk Oblast Health Center, and a big soccer player and a soccer fan.

A similar event organized by IRD was a tournament that held at Donetsk State Medical University, bringing together six soccer teams from across Donetsk: two teams from drug rehabilitation centers of Donetsk city and Torez, two teams from the state medical university, a team of journalists and a team of the Protestant church. There are not many events that bring together media, people living with HIV/AIDS in rehab centers, medical workers and churches.

Vyacheslav Bazhenov, head of the NGO “Izbavlenye” as well as the coach of the soccer team “Cowboys”, was pleased with more than just the score of his match versus the city council.

“My boys were great and they proved that HIV is not an obstacle on the way to the victory," said Bazhenov. "But more important to me was to start this new initiative and new relationship with city authorities. To look for solutions together."