Debra Messing
Actor
Supporter of YouthAIDS
Mother of Roman, 5
"I've been involved with AIDS-related charities for about 15 years. A teacher I was very close to passed away from it, and his death inspired me to get involved. When you get up close and personal with this disease, you are changed forever. YouthAIDS is very special, because it focuses on prevention and education all over the world. It has reached 600 million children in 60 different countries, which is pretty staggering and inspiring. Its work is so needed: There are 33 million people living today with AIDS or HIV, and 15 million children around the world have been orphaned by the disease. YouthAIDS is giving kids facts, and strength, and something to hold onto to make informed choices. It's also providing optimism, which is essential in overcoming something so seemingly insurmountable. Since I'm a face people recognize, I can bring attention to this cause—and in a way, that's part of my job. My son, Roman, knows what charity is but isn't always happy when Momma has to go to an event at night. Then I explain to him that it's to help raise money for children who don't have what he has, and he says, 'Well, then, okay, Momma.' "
See how you can join Debra Messing and all the current and past Smart Cookie honorees in making the world a better place at ChangingThePresent.org/cookie.
