Ways To Honor World AIDS Day on December 1st
This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is “Remember and Commit.” On December 1st we’ll celebrate World AIDS Day and this year marks the 35th commemoration. Ways to commemorate is by attending an event in your area or supporting friends and family affected. Even if you’re married, find an HIV testing facility to get your test results. Another way is to read more about HIV-AIDS. Or you could show support by wearing a red ribbon on your shirt or blouse. The first World AIDS Day took place in 1988 which gave a voice to HIV and AIDS. You might remember the big news on November 7, 1991, as NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson disclosed having tested positive for HIV. They speculate that Johnson used antiretroviral drugs, known as antiretroviral therapy, or HAART.
Depending on how you parent, make your kids aware of the difference between HIV and AIDS. HIV is a virus that weakens your immune system. AIDS is a condition that happens as a result of an HIV infection when the immune system is weakened. And lastly, you can’t get AIDS if you aren’t infected with HIV. In Charlotte, North we have a nonprofit named RAIN, that empowers persons living with HIV and those at risk to be healthy and stigma-free. Our AIDS-WALK will be a Truist Field located at 324 S. Mint Street on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Experts say that people living with HIV can expect to live as long as their peers who do not have HIV.
Studies show that a person living with HIV has a similar life expectancy to an HIV-negative person if they are diagnosed during a certain time frame. The other issue is having good access to medical care, and being able to adhere to their HIV treatment. World AIDS Day is a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma, an opportunity to honor those we have lost and commit to working toward a day when HIV is no longer a public health threat. But most of all we honor and celebrate our loved ones affected by the epidemic.
