World AIDS Day

Today, December 1, is World AIDS day. Wikipedia tells me that “AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children.”

Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Lead - Empower – Deliver. This is the theme for 2008 World AIDS Day. This overarching theme is designed to encourage political leaders to keep their commitment to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support by the year 2010.

Maybe it is because I was just in South Africa, where it is estimated that over 1,000 South Africans die every day because of AIDS, but I feel it important to share this post with fellow bloggers. While I was there I met hundreds of children that were left orphaned by this terrible disease. It is estimated that in South Africa there are 1.4 million AIDS orphans. I find it just so heartbreaking. I read the statement above and see that the theme was written to encourage leaders to keep their commitments to HIV/ AIDS prevention, while I am grateful for the encouragement, it saddens me to know that they need encouraging. The leaders of these countries were AIDS is such a problem, are so corrupt, it’s hard for me to find hope there. While I was in South Africa they were also going through their political season, their election has not taken place yet, however the man they are predicting to win the election was charged with rape, and multiple cases of fraud, some how magically all the charges have been dropped. I just don’t see how a leader who commits rape, which is the primary way AIDS is spread in South Africa can help encourage the prevention of such a disease. We must do more to help this prevention. I am glad there are non profits out there devoted to helping find a solution for AIDS and encourage you, even if all you can give is $1, to give. Give to charities today that do AIDS research and treatment and prevention, they are essential to this world, as we cannot rely on the corrupt governments to take on the problems, so please do what you can. Find a good 4 Star Charity and give, I recommend ActionAID, http://www.actionaidusa.org/ or the National AIDS Fund, http://www.aidsfund.org/naf/. There are many more to chose from, but be sure to look them up to find out if they’re legit before giving.

Sometimes we forget about AIDS, but how can we, statistically, every 12 seconds someone contracts HIV and every 16 seconds someone dies from AIDS.

I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer about all of this, but I hope you are encouraged to help, and know how important this work is.