We need to help world beat diseases

I appreciate reading Teresa Rugg’s Nov. 26 guest commentary, “AIDS pandemic too overwhelming? Think again.” It seems to me that this nation of ours spends enormous amounts of money on military defense while sometimes ignoring the greatest defense of all – our good will to countries in need of help. The president speaks of capturing “hearts and minds.” Let us keep with a contribution to the well-being of the world to end the AIDS epidemic. Some 3.1 million people died of AIDS last year and in some countries, the infection rates are rising. “Keep the promise” and endorse the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by calling or writing your senators and representatives.

Hazel B. Gray

Snohomish