The U. S.  President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)  will host a contest  to highlight the contribution of outstanding individuals  or organizations in the fight against global HIV/AIDS.

A press release from the U.S. Embassy, Georgetown,  said that  the “Heroes Save Lives: PEPFAR Heroes,  Going Above and Beyond”  contest calls for nominations of individuals and groups  who have profoundly affected the AIDS community through their work with HIV/AIDS programmes supported by the United States.

The Heroes Save Lives contest will recognize outstanding individuals who serve those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS.

In order to nominate an individual or organization, individuals should address their nomination packets containing the profile of their PEPFAR heroes to: The Public Affairs Assistant – PEPFAR,  Embassy of the United States of America, Georgetown.

Please submit these nomination packets to the Young Street entrance of the US Embassy, and  any electronic information must be submitted on a CD, the release stated.

Entries close on Friday, March 19, 2010.

The top heroes  will be highlighted through success stories, website features, exhibits and other avenues.   Moreover, selected heroes  will have their stories showcased at the international  AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, and posted on PEPFAR.gov and YouTube.

The programme has achieved remarkable success in expanding access to HIV prevention, care and treatment in low-resource settings since it was launched in 2003, the release added.