Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have had one heck of a year, but Lewis is taking a new challenge. The producer revealed in a heartfelt video his plan to fight against HIV.
The "Thrift Shop" producer's mother, Julie Lewis, has been living with the virus for 30 years.
"I'd love to tell you about the strongest woman that I know, my mom, Julie Lewis," he states in a video on his website. "In 1984, my mom gave birth to my older sister, Teresa. Due to a complicated delivery, she needed a blood transfusion and at that moment, my mom had HIV+ blood put into her body... Thanks to advanced medicine and healthcare available here in the U.S., my mom has lived despite her odds."
Lewis found out she was HIV positive long after her kids were born. Fortunately, the producer and his sister did not contract the virus. Their mother, however, was only given a few years to live.
"I was infected with HIV 30 years ago," Julie says. "I never thought that 30 years later, I would be sitting here talking to you."
"I want to do something big," she says. "The 30/30 Project is that big idea."
The Lewis family reveals that the 30/30 Project both honors his mother's 30 years of strength and hopes healthcare will remain intact for at least the next 30 years.
''To honor the 30 years my mom has been a survivor, our family is raising funds to build health centers worldwide that will stand strong for at least 30 years," Ryan added. ''We're calling it the 30/30 Project.''
Their first goal is to raise $100,000 by May 21 to assist efforts in Malawi, where one in ten are HIV positive. Lewis then wants to take 30/30 into Kenya and Uganda. Donors will receive Macklemore and Ryan Lewis merchandise.
Will you support the Lewis family in their fight against HIV? Let us know!