Sports Stars Have Power to Raise Awareness of Diseases, End Bias-driven Stigma,

Secretary-General Tells Fundraising Match in Support of Sick Children

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the “Share the Dream 2012” Charity Football Match by the Hong Myung-Bo Foundation, in Seoul on 16 December:

I am pleased to send greetings to all participants at this wonderful charity match aimed at raising funds to help children struggling with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other diseases.

I am deeply grateful to Myung-Bo Hong for lending his celebrity to this important cause.  As a football fan, I was impressed by his leadership of the Korean team when it captured the bronze medal at this summer’s Olympic Games in London — but I am even more inspired by his advocacy for global public health.  I am particularly proud that he has joined the United Nations family as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador.

Sports stars like Myung-Bo Hong have enormous power to reach fans with important messages that help raise awareness about AIDS and end stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

I thank you all for being part of today’s event, and I count on you to continue doing your part to advance the goals of the United Nations in the future.

Enjoy the Game.

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For information media • not an official record