Supporting AIDS Awareness During December

Did you know that December is International AIDS Awareness Month? Communities around the country will be sporting red for more than just the holidays. Throughout the month, advocates for AIDS awareness will work together to educate and find support for a cure.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during AIDS Awareness Month:

• The disease still poses a serious threat to communities around the world.
• There are millions of people who are currently battling the effects of HIV and AIDS.
• Recent years have brought significant victories in HIV/AIDS clinical research.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is not a disease that stands on it’s own. This is a condition that develops in a body that has been weakened by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus lives in the bloodstream and sexual fluids. People contract HIV primarily through unprotected sex and the sharing of hypodermic needles.

It may be years before HIV damages the immune system to the point that it is vulnerable to these opportunistic infections. The presence of these diseases is usually a red flag for HIV, since healthy immune systems wouldn’t succumb to them. This is also when most cases of AIDS are diagnosed.

Global Impact of HIV/AIDS

This virus still represents one of the most significant health problems on earth:

• 33.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS.
• Over 25 million have died from AIDS since the first reported case in 1981.
• Around 2 million people succumb to this disease each year– while another 2.7 million are infected.
• 97 percent of HIV-positive patients reside in low and middle income countries like sub-Saharan Africa.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that most at-risk communities do not have access to proper treatment or prevention services for HIV/AIDS.
• HIV impacts the development and economic growth of many countries.
• Global efforts to address the epidemic have mounted in recent years. Prevention techniques have improved immensely in numerous small countries and the rate of new infections is theorized to be on the decline.

Supporting Shared Responsibility

The theme of AIDS Awareness Month this year is “Share Responsibility: Strengthening results for an AIDS-free generation.” This is an initiative designed to further the belief that the current generation of HIV patients could be the last that ever needs to worry about this disease.

International AIDS Day (honored on December 1st) and AIDS Awareness Month are great opportunities for communities to get involved in the prevention of HIV/AIDS. It is well-timed, since many are already thinking about those less fortunate during the holiday season. There are many who could benefit from your help this December.

Notable HIV/AIDS Charities and Programs

This would be the perfect time for you to show your support if you haven’t before. The following list includes some notable AIDS charities and outreach programs from around the world:

• Unicef – this charity organizes global efforts providing education and assistance for parents with HIV-positive children. Unicef accepts single or monthly donations year-round.
• AIDS United – This group is dedicated to eliminating the threat of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. They support awareness, education and AIDS research programs through their network of grantees. Donations can be made via credit card on the AIDS United website.
• AIDS Research Alliance – This group allocates millions each year to further promising vaccine research and improve the lives of HIV-positive individuals. They possess several state-of-the-art facilities from which researchers have already significantly advanced contemporary AIDS therapies. The AIDS Research Alliance accepts donations in the form of cash, credit, e-transfers, and even automobiles.
• American Foundation for Children with AIDS – This foundation helps volunteers get involved by hosting their own AIDS awareness events known as “vacations with a purpose.” Individuals are sent on short-term missions to Africa where they assist in outreach efforts. The foundation also accepts online donations.

Get Involved Locally!

Most communities have their own HIV/AIDS outreach and assistance groups. This could be a perfect opportunity for you to do something special for your neighborhood this holiday season– just be sure they’re legitimate. For more information about this illness, please check out AIDS.gov.