mason tsang

I'm fundraising for an AIDS-free generation!

Hi there!

I’m Mason, and I currently serve as the Executive Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Pediatric AIDS Coalition (PAC) at UCLA! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m in my fourth (and final!) year here. Time really flies when you’re having fun, and I’ve loved every minute of being in Westwood. So much has changed from the moment I stepped onto campus, but one thing has stayed the same: my deep love for PAC and the amazing people who make it such a special organization.

I first heard about PAC the summer before I arrived at UCLA, thanks to my good friend, Jess. They couldn’t stop talking about how much PAC had shaped their college experience, and I just knew I had to be a part of it too. Looking back, I could never have imagined how much PAC would change my life. It’s given me a second family in Westwood, countless memories I’ll never forget, and has been a key factor in inspiring me to pursue a Masters in Public Health this fall!

Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of co-directing a committee that puts on campus events and spearheads outreach to the entire student body. Now, as Executive Director, I get to lead four amazing committees that engage directly with our peers, members of the greater LA community, and internationally acclaimed beneficiaries leading the fight against HIV and AIDS. I’m honored to give back to an organization that’s given me so much, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.

One of the highlights of every year is our annual fundraiser, Dance Marathon at UCLA! It’s going to be a day filled with dancing, laughter, and fostering community around HIV and AIDS. While there’s no cure for HIV yet, there are treatments that make the virus undetectable and untransmittable. However, without the proper funding and education efforts to break down the stigma surrounding it, the epidemic will continue to devastate communities around the globe. That’s why this event is so important—and why I’m so excited to be part of it!

We’re coming together not only to have an amazing time but also to support children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The funds we raise will go to some incredible organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children living with HIV and prevent mother-to-child transmission; the Laurel Foundation, which provides critical support for children and families navigating the challenges of an HIV diagnosis; and the UCLA AIDS Institute, which is leading the way in treatment research and accessible HIV testing. These organizations are doing incredible work to help create an AIDS-free generation, and I’m so proud to be a part of it!

Basically, it’s a super fun event that’s making a HUGE impact, and I’d love for you to be a part of it!

I’d be so grateful if you could help me reach my fundraising goal. It’s typically $500, but the rest of the board and I have decided to set our sights high and aim for $1,000 this year! That’s approximately 250 mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa who will receive HIV testing and counseling—helping prevent mother-to-child transmission and providing crucial support for these families. Every dollar counts, and your contribution will directly change lives.

It would mean the world if you helped me support this awesome cause! You can donate by clicking the blue button, and together, we’ll make a real difference! Thank you so much for your support! 

Cheers,
Mason