December 1st is World AIDS Day. See that word? World. It’s an entire 24 hour period dedicated to spreading the message of this disease. And I’m here to show you startling facts.
- AIDS is a medical condition. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their immune system is too weak to fight off infections.
- Today, there are an estimated 34 million people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide.
- Since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981, more than 30 million people have died from AIDS. An estimated 1.8 million people died as a result of AIDS in 2010 alone.
- HIV/AIDS is a major public health concern and cause of death in Africa. Although Africa is home to about 14.5% of the world’s population, it is estimated to be home to 67% of all people living with HIV and to 72% of all AIDS deaths in 2009.
- In Africa, more than 1,000 children are newly infected with HIV every day, and of these more than half will die as a result of AIDS because of a lack of access to HIV treatment.
This disease does not discriminate. It doesn’t care about your gender, your sexuality, the color of your skin, or your eyes, or your hair. It’s an epidemic.
AIDS is caused by HIV which is a virus that slowly attacks your immune system cells. It will damage the cells and leave your body vulnerable to infections. You will have difficulty fighting off even the simplest of colds. If left untreated, AIDS will develop from HIV after feasting on your immune system.
There is no cure for this disease that affects women, men and children all around the world. We spend today thinking about the human beings we’ve lost in this world as a result of this disease. People who could’ve gone on to be important to the world, but were already important to their loved ones. This doesn’t just kill people, it also destroys the families that are left behind.
A donation to this cause would be amazing, but I’m here to share these facts and ask that you read up on prevention to know how to protect yourself from it. It doesn’t ‘target’ the gay community, like many would like you to believe (especially if you’re from the south in the states, which I am so I know). While it’s most common in them, it’s not exclusive to gay men. It kills children daily in Africa. The best method of protection against anything that can be transmitted sexually is to use a condom, always.
Arm yourself with the knowledge to protect yourself from it, and then pass along the word to help others. And if you have a few dollars to spare, here are some good sites to look into to help.
- World Vision - Sponsor A Child
- AIDS Research Alliance
- amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research (co-founded by Elizabeth Taylor)
- Keep A Child Alive (Co-Founded by Alicia Keys)
- Aid for AIDS International
- NAT - National AIDS Trust (UK Based)
Before I go to sleep, I just want to say something.
Yes, AIDS is endemic in many parts of Africa. Although this post states using a condom, it is not the only way HIV is transmitted. And although it is a huge problem in Africa, it is not the only continent that has AIDS.
I wore a red badge yesterday. Not many of you know, but my Aunty passed away from AIDS when she was 24. Through birth, my cousin contracted HIV.
Her partner knowlingly infected her with HIV, without her knowledge. She passed away from his actions. Now I’m crying, urgh.
Just please. Wear a condom/gloves/dams. Practice safe sex. Don’t share needles. Don’t have blood to blood contact. Use common sense. Although, there are a lot of new medications and my cousin is living a semi-normal life, the best thing is prevention. Plus, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding this disease.
Consider donating to one of these funds today.
