Help raise awareness for World AIDS Day, December 1st at the Kress Building – 39 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery
The main goal of the event is to bring light to HIV stigma and we are launching an anti-stigma campaign called Because I Love You #BecauseILY. The event will give away items and information on the campaign. The event will also feature a conversation with HIV advocates about stigma. Know your status with free testing and there will be a live podcast brought by Millennials Are Defining Excellence (MADE) and they will taking to people about stigma.
Advances in medicine mean that people on effective HIV treatment cannot pass the virus on, but late diagnoses remain high and worryingly, only 45% of people can identify all the ways in which HIV is transmitted.
We’ve come a long way – but there’s still much work to do! Join us to raise vital funds so we can continue to fight discrimination, raise awareness and improve the lives of people living with HIV.
WHAT IS WORLD AIDS DAY?
World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.
WHY IS WORLD AIDS DAY IMPORTANT?
Over 101,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK around 5,000 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.
World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
Learn more about World AIDS Day and the Because I Love You campaign #BecauseILY ; CLICK HERE
