WORLD AIDS DAY; Hello December

Hello December...
Today it is World AIDS Day; a day that started in 1988 as a day designated to increase Awareness globally and we have done that in many many ways around the world. That Red Ribbon has surely made its way around the globe, on TV's and worn by millions as we have forged paths and stood on ground that many feared for so long when HIV/AIDS were mentioned in the beginning days.  More than 21 million people have died from AIDS since 1981 when this disease first was talked about and diagnosed.  The stigma of HIV/AIDS, the devastation and the horrors that were once seen have now been replaced by new faces and those who are living longer because of awareness, because of medical break throughs and drug cocktails that have allowed people hope and stopped certain death.  
We have come a long way, yet still folks are being diagnosed, still people in Africa are dying at record numbers without care and treatment.

Reality:
Every 9.5 minutes someone in the US is infected with HIV

The Centers of Disease Control *CDC* estimate one Million are living with HIV  in the U.S. 1 in 5  (20%) of those are unaware of their infection


Despite increases in the total number of people living with HIV in the U.S. in recent years, the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable. However, new infections continue at far too high a level, with approximately 50,000 Americans becoming infected with HIV each year.

 There are 33.4 million people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

  More than 25 million people have died from AIDS since the first cases were diagnosed in 1981

There is still NO CURE for this disease, however we are closer than ever before... 
and as we continue to bring awareness we continue to get closer to CURE ... and we have brought HIV/AIDS from shame and stigma to recognition.. Once a disease thought to only affect gay men, and once a disease that was feared and thought to be able to contract by toilet seats, we have educated on the myths, have now gone from fear of touch to knowing that hugs do not get you infected but help to cope.

The end of AIDS is feasible,according to the UN and to many brilliant physicians who continue to work in this field. 
Today is World AIDS Day; working for an AIDS free generation is the theme. We have come a long way, mourned so many through the years and walked a trail of such sorrow.

 

 AWARENESS About 50,000 people are infected with HIV each year, and 1 in 4 is 13 to 24 years old. Youth make up 7% of the more than 1 million people in the US living with HIV. About 12,000 youth were infected with HIV in 2010.



We sure do miss Dame Elisabeth Taylor and all she has done for AMFAR today... as those pick up where she has left off and we stand united on World AIDS DAY and everyday working toward a CURE.

 

Blessings on the winds
and Happy December to all

Walk in beauty
DRSES