“We have entered a strange era of human history: A preventable, curable infectious disease remains our deadliest. That's the world we are currently choosing." - John Green, Author

Ani’s story  

Ani was pregnant with her first child when she was diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), a form of the infectious disease that does not respond to some anti-TB drugs. What should have been a joyful time turned into fear, isolation, and shame. She was placed on painful treatment, warned of serious complications, and made to feel like a danger to her unborn child. 

Ani gave birth alone in a glass isolation room, her baby taken from her moments after delivery. For five days, she didn’t know if anyone was holding him when he cried or if he was being fed. TB had stolen precious moments of motherhood from her. But holding her son for the first time gave her strength. Treatment became a lifeline, not a punishment. She fought to survive, not just for herself, but for her family. 

the deadly reality of TB and hope for the future  

Unfortunately, Ani’s experience is not unique. Every year, TB affects over 10 million people and claims more than 1.2 million lives, despite being both preventable and curable. Drug-resistant TB is a growing global threat, exacerbated by fragile health systems, persistent stigma, chronic underfunding, and global crises. For example, when people with TB are displaced from their homes – due to natural disasters or war – there is a risk of treatment disruptions and spread of infection. Learn more from our campaign on TB and children and our blog on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Thanks to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, efforts are ongoing to ensure continuity of care regardless of external circumstances, so that everyone can get the care they need. The Global Fund is the largest international financing mechanism for TB programming, providing 76% of funding. In countries where the Global Fund invests, TB deaths have dropped by 36% between 2002 and 2022. These numbers represent real lives that have been saved – including Ani, who is now a healthy mother of three. 

The ask: With rising global health threats and widening inequalities, we urge Canada to continue to champion the Global Fund and build on our current level of strong support to help #WinTheFight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

As the Global Fund holds its Eighth Replenishment this year, the choice before us is clear: retreat in the face of rising challenges, or double down on a proven solution that saves lives, strengthens health systems, and revitalizes communities.

Canada's legacy

Canada has a proud legacy of global leadership (see the drop-down below). With a new government in place, this is a pivotal moment to reaffirm our commitment to building a better world through bold investments in global health. A strong Canadian pledge to the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment will not only help #WinTheFight against AIDS, TB, and malaria, but it will demonstrate that Canada stands firmly for equity, solidarity, and a healthier, more just future for all. To do this effectively, Canada must ensure its international assistance envelope is sufficiently resourced in the upcoming Federal Budget this fall so it can continue to ambitiously support lifesaving mechanisms like the Global Fund. 

The ask: With rising global health threats and widening inequalities, we urge Canada to continue to champion the Global Fund and build on our current level of strong support to help #WinTheFight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

latest campaign news

#BudgetForLeadership:

• A big thank you to everyone who took a moment to fill out the Department of Finance’s pre-budget consultation last month to tell the government that our investments in international assistance must be protected so we can continue to ambitiously support lifesaving mechanisms like the Global Fund. Check out Results’ submission to the Finance Committee.

story

How AI Is Accelerating the Fight Against an Ancient Killer

Artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease.  

Once considered too hard to reach, people in remote and marginalized communities are now being diagnosed faster and more accurately thanks to AI-powered tools that analyze digital chest X-rays. Mounted on mobile vans, these systems are bringing diagnostics directly to underserved populations – including prisoners, refugees, rural communities, and the socially marginalized – transforming how and where care is delivered.  

In countries like Pakistan, this innovation is enabling earlier diagnosis, faster treatment, and fewer missed cases. Even better, the same technology is being used to detect other lung and noncommunicable diseases, making it a multipurpose tool that boosts both efficiency and health equity. 

Backed by over US$ 193 million in Global Fund investments, AI-enabled TB screening is being scaled across more than 20 countries. And it's working: in 2023, 8.2 million people with TB were diagnosed – a sharp rise from previous years – and the number of people missed by health systems has dropped significantly.  

Read the full story on the Global Fund's website. 

video

ACTIONS

invite your MP to #LeadOnTB events

The new federal government is returning to Ottawa this month after summer break. Now is the time to connect with your members of parliament (MPs) to introduce yourself, your passion for international assistance advocacy, and the need for Canada to step up in the fight to end the world’s deadliest diseases. Send an email to your MP to invite them to two upcoming events being hosted by Results Canada in Ottawa.  

• A reception on September 24 with partners and TB survivors to make connections, raise awareness, and inspire action.  

• A Hill Day on September 25 where MPs will meet with advocates to discuss how Canada can #LeadOnTB to help end the world’s deadliest infectious disease. 

Here's some sample wording you can use in your email:

Dear MP _________________________,

As your constituent (POSTAL CODE), I am writing to urge you to take action to end tuberculosis in the world and in Canada. TB is the world's deadliest infectious disease, claiming more than 1.25 million lives each year and leaving lasting consequences for millions more. In Canada, Indigenous peoples—particularly Inuit—and newcomers continue to face staggeringly disproportionate rates of TB.

[Insert personal connection with TB here if applicable]

There is a unique opportunity coming up to learn more about this epidemic and how you can take action. On September 25th, around 100 TB advocates, experts, and TB survivors from around Canada and the world will be in Ottawa for a #LeadOnTB Hill Day. They will be meeting with parliamentarians to discuss Canada’s integral role in ending this deadly disease. I urge you to join the growing list of MPs who are participating!

Note that there is also a #LeadOnTB Reception on the eve of the Hill Day. On September 24th from 6-8pm at the Ottawa Marriott, parliamentarians, experts, and people with lived experience of TB both in Canada and abroad will be gathering to discuss TB and build momentum on taking action to eliminate this deadly disease.

To learn more and sign up, please call Gabriel from Results Canada at 403-715-0048 or email gabriel@resultscanada.ca.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email and I hope you consider participating in one or both of these events. I believe Canada can make a real difference.

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[FULL ADDRESS]

Help us reach as many MPs as possible! Attach this invitation to your email and let us know at action@resultscanada.ca if you receive a response.

To find out who your Member of Parliament is, type your postal code here and then find their email address by clicking the contact tab. 

Expert tip: Use the EPIC model of effective communication to get your message across clearly and be sure to include the ask for Canada to continue its ambitious support for the Global Fund.

write a Letter to the Editor (LTE)

There are a couple great hooks this month that will increase your likelihood of getting a letter to the editor (LTE) published and raise awareness of the need for Canada to continue to ambitiously support the Global Fund. Using the information in our call-to-action, write a short letter to a news outlet with one of these hooks to get the word out. Most parliamentarians and decision-makers read them! 

• Budget 2025 is right around the corner. During the federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised that he would not cut international assistance. This is your time to hold him at his word, especially when he is calling for significant cuts across government. Use your LTE to make the case that Canada must not scale back their contributions at a time when the need is so high, but rather, they should be ambitiously supporting proven mechanisms with track records of success, like the Global Fund. Feel free to refer to our budget submission for ideas.

• World Lung Day (September 25), which is also the day of our #LeadOnTB Hill Day in Ottawa. As a disease that primarily affects the lungs, use your LTE to spotlight the tremendous impact that the Global Fund has had in the fight against TB and call on Canada to continue its ambitious support for this lifesaving mechanism. 

Be sure to send your LTE to your local community papers for the best chance of being published! Refer to past volunteer LTEs but don’t fall into the trap of copying other people’s styles. Don’t forget to let us know you took action!

did you get published?

share Ani's story

As we continue our campaign in support of the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment, we need your help to increase public awareness of the Global Fund’s impact. Since 2002, the Global Fund partnership has saved 65 million lives – including Ani’s. Share her story on the social media platform of your choice and call on Canada to help #WinTheFight against TB.

Right-click on any image to save it (long-press on mobile) and attach to your post!

Don’t forget to let us know you took action!