Sidaction, a flagship event in the fight against AIDS in France, took place at the end of March 2026. The opportunity to raise funds to eradicate the disease by 2030.
Every year in March, it is Sidaction, a cult annual event since 1994. In 2026, the Sidaction weekend took place on March 27, 28 and 29. This year’s official slogan is “Love is on the wire.” The communication campaign (signed by the MNSTR agency) uses Jacques Brel’s anthem, “Quand on n’a que l’amour”, with a voice-over provided by Zahia Dehar. This theme alerts to a real risk: that of a resumption of the epidemic due to the decline in international funding. The association recalls that without constant support, the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 could elude us, leading to up to 4 million additional deaths worldwide. On this occasion, a bonus was broadcast on Saturday on France 2 hosted by Stéphane Bern, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Damso. This great evening raised funds. “The funds collected are donated both to research and care programs and to associative programs for prevention, access to screening and help for people living with HIV, in France and internationally.” explains the association. As a reminder, there are 1.3 million new contaminations worldwide. In France, 5,500 discovered their HIV status in 2023, including 27% at an advanced stage of infection.
Who chairs Sidaction?
This is the teacher Françoise Barré-Sinoussico-discoverer of HIV and 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Line Renaud has been Vice-President and godmother for more than 20 years.
What does the red ribbon, symbol of Sidaction, mean?
The Sidaction logo is a red ribbon which represents the fight against AIDS. In 1991, a group of artists from Visual AIDS Artists Cancus created “The Ribbon Project” to create a meaningful symbol to raise awareness about AIDS. “The color red was chosen for its connection to blood and the idea of passion (anger, love…). THE ribbon format was selected in part because it was easy to recreate and wear. The ribbon was never copyrighted in the United States, to enable it to be worn and widely used as a symbol in the fight against AIDS” explains Visual Aids, a contemporary arts organization committed to AIDS awareness.
Where do the donations go?
Sidaction selects actions and programs that still meet the most urgent needs regarding AIDS today. It encourages innovation and pilot projects. Operating on the model of an incubator, it provides technical expertise and funds to enable the implementation of innovative programsand then helps pass the baton to institutional actors. The sums collected by Sidaction are donated to research programs and associative programs providing care, care and assistance to patients, in France and internationally. Sidaction participates in forums for discussion and orientation of public policies to combat HIV.
To make a donation to Sidaction, it is possible:
- By telephone: by calling 110 (freephone number)
- By Internet: www.sidaction.org
- By mail: Sidaction – 228, rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin 75010 PARIS
- By SMS: to make a donation of €10, send the word “DON” to 92 110 (Donation taken from your operator bill. Available only in mainland France for Bouygues Télécom, Orange, SFR, Free and EI Telecom subscribers. Cost of free SMS)
- By the Lydia application “Make a Lydia” to Sidaction by sending your donation to 22 0810 in the application or by choosing Sidaction from the list of associations
- By participating in one of the regional events : To find activities near you, go to our website: solidarite.sidaction.org
- By making a solidarity purchase on the sidaction.org online store
Please note: 66% of the donation amount is tax deductible. A donation of 50 euros thus corresponds to a real expenditure of 17 euros once the tax deduction has been made.
Who created Sidaction?
The association of Artists against AIDS, Act Up-Paris, Aides-Federation, Arcat-Sida and a group of researchers melt Together against AIDS THE February 17, 1994 whose mission will be to fight on all fronts of the pandemic by financing research and help for patients. “On April 7, 1994, the major French channels united and offered a unique program. Sidaction was born. The impact is considerable: 23 million viewers, 45 million euros collected, testimonies from people living with HIV and a strong mobilization of personalities from around the world, researchers, journalists and activists” can we read on the Sidaction website.
