Help “Turn the World Red” on World AIDS Day to unlock your (RED) badge

Wednesday, December 1 marks (RED)’s World AIDS Day, where landmarks around the world will be illuminated in red lights to highlight the cause of HIV/AIDS prevention. The organization’s goal is for the year 2015 to mark the beginning of the first AIDS-free generation.

To raise awareness, social network users can help to turn a map of the world red using Twitter and Facebook or by attending a (RED) Meetup. Foursquare users can also participate by including the hashtag “#turnred” when they check in at any location, which will unlock a special (RED) badge.

The checkins (if they’re posted to Twitter), tweets and Facebook profile photos will be posted to a map on the (RED) website. Countries that see the most activity across the different channels will turn a deeper shade of red. You’ll be able to filter the activities based on the social network — foursquare included — that generated it.

(RED)’s primary objective is to raise awareness and funds for the Global Fund, which supports efforts to eliminate AIDS in Africa. A significant portion of their funds are raised by brands like Apple and Gap that offer special (RED) versions of their products and donate a portion of the proceeds to the Global Fund. You can follow (RED) on foursquare to find retailers near you that offer (PRODUCT) RED.

According to their press release:

HIV/AIDS is preventable and treatable but UNAIDS statistics published last week estimate 370,000 children are infected with the disease in 2009, down from 430,000 in 2008. Without treatment, as many as half will die by the age of two. Currently, only 45% of pregnant women have access to the medicine they need to stop transmission, but collectively, prevention measures for pregnant women including HIV screening, antiretroviral medication for those who test positive, treatment during and after labour and infant feeding guidance, have been shown to block mother-to-child transmission in up to 99% of cases and the focus is now on making sure every pregnant woman who needs treatment receives it.

Do you plan to support (RED) when you check in on Wednesday?