World AIDS Day was first recognized in 1988 and has become a day to raise money and awareness, fight prejudice against those with HIV/AIDS, and improve education about the virus. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is “Universal Access and Human Rights.”
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children. During 2008, approximately 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated two million people died from illnesses caused by AIDS.
Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. HIV hasn’t gone away, and there’s still a lot of work to be done toward its management and eradication. The red ribbon pin in this post’s user photo sits on the window ledge in front of me to remind me of that every day.
Each time I put on my jewelry, I wear my Until There’s A Cure bracelet in honor of the beautiful friends I’ve lost because of AIDS. Not a single day of my life goes by that I don’t think of them.
I was so fortunate to have known them.
Steve R, Don P, Jeff C, John M, Tim R, Pete M
I have friends living with HIV, but have never lost anyone to AIDS. I can only imagine seeing it take so many of your friends. Thank you for being such a strong advocate for so many gay issues.
Louisville’s “Dining out for Life” is tomorrow, so we’re looking for a restaurant to go to…..
Speaking of Dining Out For Life, did I tell you Red closes and it is some upscale Asian place now? (I think)
Cool. Same owners? Care to give it a try?
Let me check the menu. I only eat Asian a couple of times a year, at most.
Thank you, Becky! Your compassion never ceases to amaze me.
Touching words. The world could do with more people like you.
Sending you a virtual *hug*.