ALBUQUERQUE, Oct. 17, 2007 – The National Day of Care, held on Feb. 10, 2008, offers Americans an opportunity to respond to the world’s biggest disaster, HIV/AIDS. Over 15 million children have become orphaned primarily because of the disease.

The National Day of Care is a day for everyone – individuals, groups, businesses and churches – to respond to this crisis, specifically by providing assistance to orphans who struggle to access food, education, medical care and love. UNICEF reports that three-fourths of people living with AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa, where the nonprofit group focuses its efforts.

“America needs a day set aside to address the critical situation in Africa,” said Ronna Jordan, founder and president of the National Day of Care. “Just as our country helped save Europe during World War II, it is now our responsibility to do the same for Africa.”

Participants of the National Day of Care are encouraged to donate to a relief organization of their choice that helps African orphans, or other children in crisis in the United States and around the world. They are also encouraged to learn about programs that support orphans and needy children in their area where they can volunteer. Donations made to the National Day of Care are used to support special orphan projects and partnerships in Africa, including World Vision, Save Africa’s Children, Samaritan’s Purse, Grace for Africa and Ikhayalethemba Village in South Africa.

“Most of all, we want people to be enthusiastic about making a difference in a child’s life,” said Dr. Michael Hattabaugh, director of the National Day of Care. “Imagine what can happen when Americans come together to pitch in – we can save Africa. That’s the goal of the National Day of Care.”

According to the United Nations, nearly 3 million people died of AIDS last year. It is predicted that by 2010, there will be 25 million orphans primarily because of AIDS. Currently, over 42 million people are living with the disease.

The National Day of Care was founded in 2005 by Ronna Jordan. After taking teams of volunteers from the U.S. to work in African orphanages in 2000, she organized teams and raised money for several orphanages during the next few years. However, Jordan realized that these efforts were only assisting a small group of children and those affected by AIDS, and that it would be much more effective to mobilize the entire country to help. Now, the National Day of Care is a nationwide initiative urging individuals, civic groups, businesses and church groups to take action.

“By supporting relief groups that help orphans, we can make a tremendous difference,” Jordan said. “The more we give, the more children will be impacted for the better. As a country, this is a defining moment. We can help provide a future for Africa.”

In order to create awareness that there are millions of children both in the U.S. and abroad who need “a roof over their heads” and to raise funds for children in crisis, Dr. Hattabaugh will live on the roof of Chick-fil-A restaurant from Nov. 12-18 in Albuquerque, N.M. The goal of the event, titled “Get Mike Down,” is to raise $200,000 for the National Day of Care effort and to benefit a local children’s hospital. Supporters can donate online at www.getmikedown.com.

For more information about the National Day of Care, visit www.nationaldayofcare.org or call toll-free at 1-800-220-8776.

 — 30 —