The Lazarus Effect

A 2010 documentary film about antiretroviral drug therapy on HIV/AIDS patients in Africa

The Lazarus Effect film by (RED), HBO and Anonymous Content is a 30-minute documentary directed by Lance Bangs and executive produced by Spike Jonze. The film follows the stories of four people living with HIV whose lives were transformed by gaining access to antiretroviral treatment. In as few as 40 days, people suffering from AIDS can undergo a remarkable transformation thanks to access to treatment that now costs around 40 cents a day.

In the global struggle with HIV and AIDS, the advent of life-saving antiretroviral drug therapy has meant that an HIV-positive diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. HIV-positive people can live long and productive lives. And the drugs help to prevent babies from being born HIV-positive.



Yet this life-saving treatment is not yet accessible to all who need it. Here’s how you can help:

1. Join the ONE campaign
   Learn more at elca.org/one and advocate for global health investment.
2. Donate and Save Lives
   Help ELCA World Hunger save lives put at risk by HIV and AIDS – donate to the ELCA World Hunger HIV and AIDS fund. Donate now at elca.org/aids/donate or send a check to ELCA World Hunger, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764. Please note “HIV and AIDS” in the memo line.
3. Host a screening of The Lazarus Effect in your congregation
   Sign up to receive a toolkit with a DVD copy of The Lazarus Effect or call Brittany Suiter at the ELCA churchwide offices at 800-638-3522 ext. 2862.

Resources

The following supplemental resources (tailored for use in ELCA groups) are also available:

• Leader Guide and Discussion Questions
  Sample agenda for the screening and discussion, an introduction to the session, suggested discussion questions, action steps and recommended resources. More.
• ELCA World Hunger: Health Care brochure
  You can order this brochure in packages of 50 from the ELCA Resource Catalog (Item number ELCADS1023) or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2580 to place an order over the phone. There is no charge to order this resource.
• HIV and AIDS fund offering envelopes
  You can order this brochure in packages of 50 from the ELCA Resource Catalog (Item number ELCADS1022) or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2580 to place an order over the phone. There is no charge to order this resource.
• ELCA World Hunger HIV and AIDS fund handout
  Describes our HIV and AIDS work in more detail and highlights four key ministries in Africa. Download the handout 
• ELCA HIV and AIDS Strategy Video
  A ten-minute video featuring several Lutheran HIV and AIDS ministries. You may wish to screen this video in addition to The Lazarus Effect. Additional discussion questions are available for this video. View the video.
• ELCA e-advocacy Network
  By signing up at elca.org/advocacy, ELCA members will receive timely alerts on a broad range of social justice issues, including the U.S. government’s response to the HIV pandemic at home and abroad. These alerts help ELCA members engage in effective advocacy actions through letters, phone calls, meetings, lobby days, and conferences.
• "Lazarus Sunday" Worship Resources
  These worship resources (includes Litany, Prayers, Anointing, Sermon Starters) may be used on April 11, 2011 (when the story of the raising of Lazarus appears in the lectionary readings) or may be easily adapted for use on other Sundays and with other Biblical readings. Because every Sunday of the church year is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection, portions of these resources may be used on any Sunday or adapted for use on other occasions like World AIDS day (December 1). More.