An Awesome Way To Help Prevent AIDS

Filed Under: MTV Inspiration

This is really, really cool!

MTV's Staying Alive Foundation, a global charity which works to empower and support youth-led AIDS education and prevention, has teamed with one of our fave retailers, Karmaloop, to create the The Karmaloop x MTV Staying Alive Foundation T-Shirt. What's more, making the endeavor even more awesome, the tee was designed by prominent street artist Shepard Fairey. You know, the guy who designed the renown Barack Obama "HOPE" poster during the presidential election campaign.

If you think the image on the shirt looks more like the work of Keith Haring, you're not far off; for the design, Fairey drew inspiration from and pays homage to Haring, a long time AIDS activist.

The sledgehammer is a symbol of the tireless efforts of activists to break through the stigma that surrounds AIDS education in much of the world, and the heart within is emblematic of the compassion and fervor with which AIDS activists work to spread knowledge and prevent the spread of the epidemic.

Fairey said of the endeavor, "AIDS awareness is really important especially in areas where people aren't as aware or it's culturally taboo to talk about it. The goal of the T-shirt graphic is to say let's fight this, to get the message out, to talk about the issue and to encourage safe sex. A lot of what I've done with my art is to use anger as a positive energy and re-channel it for something good. It's about using the frustration of the situation for a positive action and the continued support of Karmaloop will help garner the awareness and sales needed for this exclusive project."

Specifically, The MTV Staying Alive Foundation gives grants to young leaders who work to prevent HIV, pairs them with an adult mentor and provides a four year training program for them. The goal is to help young people create lasting programs that will have an effect on their local community. The T-shirt aims to help raise awareness and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Foundation.

Priced at a very affordable $24, the tee is 100% cotton and available in white and heather gray exclusively at Karmaloop, with shipping to over 35 countries all over the world.

We'll definitely be picking up a few - these will make great gifts for the holidays, and we need some for ourselves, natch.

Grab yours at Karmaloop.com!

[Images courtesy of Shepard Fairey / Karmaloop / The MTV Staying Alive Foundation.]

Posted: October 15, 2009 at 2:00 pm