4:55 PM
McGhori
Show your support today, and every day, for the 34 million people living with HIV and 1.8 million who died of AIDS in 2010.
While the month of December usually ushers in a time of celebration for many families across the globe, there are millions of people affected by an AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) diagnosis who are still waiting for the ultimate gift: a cure.
For those people, and in the hope of stopping this deadly and incurable virus, we spread awareness. The first day of December every year since 1988 has been known as World AIDS Day, sparking conversations, plans, and actions within legislatures and communities around the world.
While searching for a cure, there are steps to be taken to curb the spread of AIDS, including establishing educational programs in schools and through outreach programs for those who do not have access to this important information.
HIV is primarily contracted through unsafe (non-condom) sex practices, infected blood transfer through dirty needles, pregnancy from an infected mother to her child, or through infected breast milk. In the past, infection has also been occurred through unsafe or unknowing blood transfusions and interactions.
Even though there is no cure for HIV and research is constantly being done to reverse that fact, there have been advancements in the treatment for HIV. Treatments are extensive and there may be side effects, as with any medication, but people living with HIV can still have a completely active life unless.
According to the annual report from UNAIDS, over 25 million people have died from this disease, cementing it as a historic epidemic. Over 34 million people around the world are living with HIV, with 1.8 million AIDS-related deaths in 2010 alone.
Almost half a million of those living with HIV are children. If these numbers continue to replicate throughout the years, the children that we count on to be our future will also be bringing the disease with them, making it harder to eradicate without a cure.
World AIDS Day strives to reach out to governments and have full support of granting “universal access” to HIV care and treatment as well as a widespread campaign of realizing that the right to the correct care is a form of our human rights and should be deemed as such leaving no stigmatized groups to suffer alone.
With holiday celebrations just around the corner, we will be seeing storefronts, sweaters, lights, and decorations to celebrate the season. This World AIDS Day we are called to wear a red ribbon to call attention to everyone living with HIV, in memory of those who have died, to bring attention to AIDS education, and to honor everyone who is affected by the disease in their everyday life.
Don’t let your support of this disease stop in December. Every month you can be an advocate for AIDS awareness among your family, friends, church group, or school, because making people aware of the threat is the first step toward protection and halting the disease from spreading.
Posted in: HEALTH
