100% Life was founded more than 20 years ago by a group of HIV-positive activists. In 2001, we were seven people who had nothing to lose. Today it is the largest patient organization in the EECA region, which unites 150,000 associate members and has 24 regional branches. In 2004, only 250 patients with HIV were receiving life-saving therapy. Today, each of the 130,000 HIV-positive Ukrainians has access to treatment.
This year marks 10 years (!) that 100% Life has been a partner of PEPFAR! We are proud of and grateful for this partnership. After all, it was in the projects supported by PEPFAR that a number of innovations and achievements in the field of combating HIV/AIDS in Ukraine became possible. During all these years, PEPFAR has been a partner that invests quickly and effectively in the most courageous solutions to overcome the HIV epidemic.
A street mural and staff of 100% Life, captured from above
The secret of 100% Life is in our people and their motivation and values. Our mission is to “fight for life” and we have been proving for twenty years that there [is nothing] that can stop us from fighting for the rights of patients. Today, the whole world sees in the example of Ukraine what the motivation of people can mean – what people are capable of when they realize that they are fighting for their lives. The same is true for people living with HIV and fighting for their lives, against the epidemic.
After the beginning of the full-scale invasion, PEPFAR's support allowed us to save the lives of 129,000 people living with HIV in Ukraine, and could have been left without medication in wartime. An annual supply of medicines, i.e. 53 M doses of antiretroviral therapy were purchased and brought to Ukraine at a fantastically rapid pace. Real partners and friends are revealed most clearly at such moments. We are sincerely grateful to the greatest friends of Ukrainian patients, and PEPFAR is one of the leading friends as it has been supporting and investing in life for many years.
In 2016, among some 40 countries where PEPFAR operates, 100% Life received the PEPFAR award for the best partnership.
Staff of 100% Life pose with a banner
In 2016, CO 100% Life received the PEPFAR award for the best partnership: Among some 40 countries where the PEPFAR Program operates, CO 100% Life received the award for the best partnership among all patient organizations fighting for HIV-positive people's access to treatment.
In 2021, 100% Life celebrated 20 years of victories. Everything has changed in those 20 years. The movement of people living with HIV was not prepared to compromise on access to treatment. 100% Life was a stubborn force that advocated, year after year, for the expansion of the treatment program in Ukraine. Despite the horrible war in Ukraine, we now have medicines, and we carry on all our testing, care, and support programs.
The best part of our job is to know that every day, there are people in various parts of our country who live and build their future – owing to what we do.
A blood analysis reader
100% Life, Ukraine
Years as a USAID/PEPFAR partner: 10