Home Programs XDRTB.org

XDRTB.org

Creating awareness of extremely drug-resistant TB (XDRTB)

XDRTB.org is an extraordinary effort to tell the story of extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and TB through powerful photographs taken by James Nachtwey.  XDR-TB, extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis, is a new and deadly mutation of tuberculosis. Similar in creation to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) but more extreme in its manifestation, it arises when common tuberculosis goes untreated or standard TB drugs are misused. James’ photographs represent these varying strains.

 

View a slideshow of the photographs.

Photographer James Nachtwey has been covering war and human rights stories for 30 years, traveling from Northern Ireland to Iraq, from the orphanages of Romania to the deadly killing grounds of the Sudan. He knows the power of news photographs to raise awareness and make real change. In 2007, he was awarded the TED Prize, which comes with $100,000 and one wish to change the world. These photographs and this project are his wish. Learn more about James Nachtwey and the TED Prize and the conference that started it all, TED.

The sponsor on the XDRTB.org project is Becton, Dickinson and Company, who are committed to increasing access to improved TB diagnostics worldwide. BD not only focuses on ensuring access to its existing TB diagnostic technologies, but also is investing in much-needed improved TB diagnostics.

The TED Prize is a collaboration of individuals and companies who step up and generously give their time, support and resources to make these wishes come true. Visit http://www.xdrtb.org to learn more about our partners that have helped make possible James Nachtwey’s wish.

Adapted with permission from the XDRTB.org website, February 2009.