Starting this week, $3 can win you $40,000 while you support the effort to end HIV/AIDS in Illinois! The Illinois Lottery on August 7th re-launched the popular Red Ribbon Cash game, a $3 instant scratch-off lottery ticket. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this lottery game will go toward HIV prevention and care.
The Red Ribbon lottery was first enacted in 2007 and had been set to sunset this December. Through the hard work of community advocates including West Side HIV/AIDS providers, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, and the bill’s sponsors Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), this program has been extended until 2017.
This year the General Assembly passed a devastating state budget that slashes funding for community-based HIV prevention, care and housing programs by 42%. This game provides an independent funding stream generated by the community for HIV/AIDS prevention and care in areas hardest hit by this epidemic.
Treatment is vital to preventing new HIV infections. New evidence demonstrates people with HIV who are receiving treatment reduce transmission to others by 96%. As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently noted, an AIDS-free generation is a possibility.
Last year alone, the Red Ribbon lottery generated $1.4 million for HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and care. You can help to surpass that amount this year by spreading the word about the Red Ribbon lottery in your community.
For only $3, purchase Illinois’ ticket to an AIDS-free state with the Red Ribbon Cash instant scratch-off game. Tickets are currently available at all participating retailers.
