2008-08-12 23:47:02 -

www.onecondoms.com - For One Condoms Michelle Fournier, 617-946-2800 ext 26 michelle@globalprotection.com In response to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control regarding a sharp increase in HIV infection rates in the United States, One(R) Condoms has issued a bold challenge to Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

On Thursday, August

14, campaign headquarters for each candidate will receive 56,300 condoms, one for each person estimated by the CDC to become infected with HIV/AIDS this year. In personalized letters to Senators Obama and McCain, the candidates are encouraged to donate the condoms to nonprofits or health centers in the U.S. The candidates are also asked to include support for comprehensive education programs into their campaign platforms.

"The current administration's policies regarding sexual health education have fractured efforts to provide a cohesive, structured and successful HIV/AIDS prevention program. Promoting abstinence at the expense of condom use has forced many state governments and non-profit organizations to go it alone when it comes to combating sexually-transmitted diseases," says One(R) Condoms spokesperson Jared Fennelly. "America needs a leader who will bring all parties to the table and put forth a plan to create a national dialog regarding HIV/AIDS. We want to hear from both candidates whether condoms will have a fair place in that discussion."

Barack Obama announced his candidacy on February 2, 2007 - based on CDC projections, 84,200 Americans since that date have been infected with HIV/AIDS. John McCain announced his candidacy on March 1, 2007 and since that time an estimated 81,289 new transmissions of HIV/AIDS have occurred.

Since the CDC report, both candidates have released statements regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS, though neither specifically mentioned condoms or condom education.

"In 1987, C. Everett Koop stated that 'a condom can save your life.' Politics and policies may change, but that reality hasn't. Comprehensive education, which includes accurate information about consistent and correct condom use, is essential to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS," says Fennelly.

¶ Company Delivers More Than 100,000 Condoms to Campaigns;
Encouraging Distribution in Support of Comprehensive Sexual Education