Elizabeth's Story
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation was born from the most powerful force of all: a mother's love for her children. Elizabeth Glaser contracted the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion in 1981 while giving birth to her daughter, Ariel. She and her husband, Paul, later learned that Elizabeth had unknowingly passed the virus on to Ariel through breast milk and that their son, Jake, had contracted the virus in utero.

The Glasers discovered, in the course of trying to treat Ariel, that drug companies and health agencies had no idea that HIV/AIDS was prevalent among children. The only drugs on the market were for adults — nothing had been tested or approved for children. Which meant that there was no medical treatment for the infection that was quickly destroying Ariel's life.

Ariel lost her battle with AIDS in 1988. Fully aware that Jake's life was also in danger, Elizabeth rose to action. She approached her close friends, Susie Zeegen and Susan DeLaurentis, for help in creating a foundation that would serve to raise money for basic HIV/AIDS research. The Foundation had one critical mission: to bring hope to children with AIDS. Few researchers were focusing on issues specific to pediatric HIV/AIDS, there were no drugs available for children, and the infection rate was rapidly rising. Elizabeth, Susie, and Susan sought to change that harsh reality.

Foundation History
What three mothers began around a kitchen table in 1988 is now the leading global nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing pediatric HIV infection and eradicating pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs.

The Foundation's influence has been dramatic. Today, there is an entire community of pediatric AIDS researchers that didn't exist before. Fewer children are being born with HIV, and children with HIV infection are living longer and healthier lives. In every area of the Federal government — from research priorities at the National Institutes of Health to the halls of Congress — children with HIV are no longer forgotten. And while Elizabeth lost her personal battle with AIDS, her son Jake is now a healthy young adult.

The Foundation has stayed true to its mission while also expanding its reach. As a result of the leadership of many dedicated individuals, most notably Paul Glaser, the Foundation expanded its focus to battle the HIV/AIDS pandemic around the globe. These international programs have rapidly expanded across the developing world, battling mother-to-child transmission of HIV and bringing care and treatment to the families who need them.

Through its varied and innovative programs, the Foundation is breaking through barriers in providing for the health of our most vulnerable population and creating a future of hope for children and families worldwide.

The Tequila Toast
Despite the immense adversity they faced in the early fight against pediatric AIDS, Elizabeth, Susan, and Susie always remembered to have fun. During the Foundation’s earliest planning stages, the founders established a tradition of drinking a tequila shot to toast important victories.

This tradition continues today. When celebrating a big achievement — such as a legislative victory, scientific discovery, or successful fund raiser — Foundation staff members gather together with a shot of tequila and toast Elizabeth’s memory. Cheers!