Be Red Today. World AIDS Day.

“World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.”

Back in the early 90s I lost my uncle to HIV. I’ve heard the stories about how he was treated in the hospital and the stigma that surrounded the disease. The discrimination he went through, being a gay man living with AIDS.

We have lost far too many good people to this pandemic. We have lost too many kids, who didn’t even get the chance to live. 2 million children under the age of 15 are living with HIV.

In the modern world, HIV is no longer a death sentence. New cases of HIV are down %17 from 2001. Although this is good news, it means more people living with HIV. As Margaret Chan, director-general of the WHO, said: “We cannot let this momentum wane. Now is the time to redouble our efforts, and save many more lives.”

So today, take time out of your busy schedule, stop for a second. Check out the links below and see what you can do. I will not taunt you with pictures of children, women and men suffering, especially in Africa with this disease. Help stop the pandemic.

UNAIDS
WORLD AIDS CAMPAIGN
GLOBAL AIDS ALLIANCE
WORLD AIDS DAY
JOIN RED