World Aids Day 2017: Apple says its customers have paid for huge amounts of treatment – and might not even know it

Even just buying an iPhone could give money for life-saving drugs

The Apple Store on 5th Avenue as seen during the 25th Annual World AIDS Day on December 1, 2013 (Getty Images)

Apple says its customers have saved people's lives by buying phones that are part of its work against Aids.

For years, the company has been working with the (RED) campaign to sell products from which a portion of the products are given to Aids research. It has now updated customers on how much they have raised by buying the various products, which last year was expanded to even include an iPhone.

This year, Apple said it raised a record $30 million for the Global Fund. That would pay for 144 million days of the key ARV medication that stops HIV from being passed from mothers to their unborn babies.

Over the 11 years the two organisations have been working together, Apple customers have helped raise enough to pay for the equivalent of 475 million days of the medication.

The company hopes that eventually the money can be used to help stops Aids from killing and spreading across much of the world. Around World Aids Day last year, Apple boss Tim Cook said that he was pleased with the progress the two were making.

“We are bringing an unparalleled level of awareness to Aids and our fight against it," he told The Independent in an exclusive interview. "We have an unprecedented number of touch points where customers can participate in this fight.

Apple customers won't necessarily know that they're helping give money to the campaign. They might just be buying Apple products that happen to be red – and a whole host of them are listed on a devoted page, which includes everything from phone cases and Watch bands all the way up to iPod Touches, though Apple's special red iPhone 7 is no longer sold.

This time around, there'll also be special changes launched in the App Store. Apple will take advantage of the entirely redesigned app to take over the "Today" tab and fill it with apps that benefit the campaign.

And the stores will also feature red logos and flags to commemorate World Aids Day and the work of the (RED) campaign. It will also give a $1 donation every time someone buys something through Apple Pay at its stores, or on its website or app.

“Connecting through our products and services helps make it easy for our customers to join us in the effort to create the first AIDS-free generation,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives said in a statement.

“By working with (RED) to stop the transmission of HIV from moms to their unborn babies, we’re already seeing a significant impact in areas where help is needed most. We’re committed to continuing the fight and empowering future generations through these vital efforts.”