March 8, 2017
Dear MTN Friends and Family,
Today, on International Women’s Day, we would like to pay tribute to our many participants, staff members and partners – both men and women alike for leading the charge with resolve and commitment.
But in particular, it’s a day to recognize and thank the nearly 11,000 women who have volunteered as participants in MTN clinical trials. Collectively, they are responsible for bringing us to where we are today, with the potential of having a new HIV prevention option for women. If approved, the dapivirine ring would be the first HIV prevention product designed specifically for women. But we must not lose sight of the needs of young women and girls either. Our next study, REACH, which will be starting later this year, will hopefully bring us to the day when we have reason to celebrate on their behalf as well.
We are in this fight together.
For girls and young women around the globe,
Sharon Hillier and Jared Baeten
