Today is World AIDS Day, a time to "celebrate progress made in the battle against the epidemic and bring into focus remaining challenges." You can get involved with the numerous events that are taking place around the world, or choose one of these ways to help stop AIDS:
* Call the CDC National STD Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) in English or español or TTY: 1-888-232-6348. Health communication specialists are available 24 hours per day and "offer anonymous, confidential HIV/AIDS information to the American public. They also provide referrals to appropriate services, including clinics, hospitals, local hotlines, counseling and testing sites, legal services, health departments, support groups, educational organizations, and service agencies throughout the United States."
* Use your computer to help "assist fundamental research to discover new drugs, using our growing knowledge of the structural biology of AIDS." No scientific expertise needed. Through distributed computing, your idle hard drive does all the work.
* Get tested so that you will know your HIV status and can protect yourself, you sexual partners and those you love. Act responsibly. Get help if you have trouble doing so.
* Participate in research. A good friend of mine is involved in an HIV vaccine trial. Like her, you may be able to help scientists and physicians develop new treatments, drugs or vaccines that fight HIV and AIDS. Also consider the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Remember, you can support research by donating time, money or resources, in addition to being a study participant.
* Donate time, money, or resources to an HIV/AIDS organization. I like SisterLove and Nyaka AIDS Orphans School. Or search AIDSmap.com in español, português, français or English to find a worthy organization near you.
We can stop this disease. We have to.
"We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them." - Titus Livius
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4 comments:
Emory hosted a portion of the AIDS Quilt on campus today. I remember contributing to the quilt many years ago in honor of my cousin who died of AIDS. Since then, I've known several others who are positive. So I expected to be emotional while viewing the quilt. As it happened, there were several panels on display honoring people from Arkansas (my home state). I didn't expect that and it moved me deeply.
Please, do everything you can to stop the spread of this virus. Practice safe sex. If you must use needles, make sure they are clean. Stay on your meds. Eat well. Be healthy, and take care of yourself and others.
"We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them." - Titus Livius
So true!
Every 6 seconds, a new person is infected with HIV.
Every 10 seconds, someone dies from AIDS.
I agree, Jackal! Thanks for visiting So what can I do. I hope you liked what you found and will visit again soon.
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