Activities For World AIDS Day on Dec. 1
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
by Laura Trahan
AIDS has been an international battle since awareness of the illness began in the 80s. World AIDS Day was the first international health awareness day that was started in London in 1988.
I remember growing up believing that AIDS was something far away. Only people in Africa contracted AIDS. As sad as it was, I thought only people who were of a different race or slept around a lot contracted AIDS.
In between one of the sets, they invited her on stage. I remember so clearly her standing up there wearing a black dress with a red ribbon. She began sharing information about AIDS. I remember thinking how impressed I was that she got a job in public relations so soon out of high school.
Then she said it.
"I know this because I was diagnosed with HIV last year."
The crowd was silence and my heart broke. She was very young. She was a mom. She had, what I thought, her whole life ahead of her. My mind began racing as I tried to grasp all of her information. She was a small town girl just like me. She had never even been out of the state, let alone the country. She was white!
How ignorant I had become!
World AIDS Day is celebrated Dec. 1 every year. There are several activities that you can do as an individual to spread awareness of AIDS as well as support those who are suffering with the illness. Here are a few activities.
Wear a red ribbon-The symbol of World AIDS Day, the red ribbon, is universally identifiable. The red ribbon is worn as a sign of support for people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is a simple and powerful way to challenge the stigma and prejudice surrounding HIV.
Visit online at http://www.worldaidsday.org/.The site has endless fundraising packets to download, stats about the illness, ways to support and real life stories.
Practice safety in your own life-Get educated. Talk to your doctor. AIDS is right in our backyard, next door, etc. Know the risks and be protected.
Plan an event-You can plan anything from a bake sale to a penny drive at a local school to a walk-a-thon in your neighborhood. Any little bit can help fight against AIDS.
Another website to check out is http://www.unfpa.org/aids_clock/
Every 16 seconds, another person dies from AIDS. Every 12 seconds, another person contracts HIV. Imagine making a difference in just one person's life?
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Great Piece, Lorrie, and there are blood transfusions and medical personnel getting needle sticks, and babies born to mom's with aids etc... Marijo
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