HIV/AIDS Awareness. A father’s choice.

Posts Tagged ‘HIV AIDS’

As I sat at my desk to start my research, I came across this headline:  Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and Alicia Keys died. In this case, death is a good thing; they did it to support Aids research. Find out more at http://bit.ly/gIhfpr.
Following the celebrity attention, I thought about this year’s World AID’s Day theme and how it related to my life; the theme of 2010 World Aids Day is “Human Rights and Universal Access” is so relevant for this moment in time when the world and it’s governments are having so many financial setbacks, loss of jobs, and hardship for so many. We can’t forget that HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care are fundamental human rights, and protecting those rights are essential in combating the world HIV/AIDS epidemic. Not only do we need to raise AID’s awareness, but by advocating individual human rights in this manner, we’ll see a decrease in new infections. All people that are living with HIV/AIDS must live free from stigma and discrimination.
I continued to research and the familiar smile of “Magic” Ervin Johnson flashed across the screen.  A man who was supposed to die when he announced he was HIV positive 20 yrs ago. I realize that many AIDS activists feel he is not your typical person living with HIV because he can afford the best care money can provide and does not have to worry about getting placed on a waiting list to get his meds through (ADAP) Aids Drug Assistance program.  However, as controversial as he may be in some people’s eyes, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due.  Many people around the world look up to Magic Johnson; not as much for what he did on the court, but more as a successful businessman who helps by investing in African-American neighborhoods to help with prevention education, treatment options, and HIV/AIDS awareness. Johnson has become a spokesman for the treatment of the disease, and founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, which promotes better access to treatment and testing. At a reception the Sunday before World Aids Day, and sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Johnson was presented with its inaugural “World AIDS Day Magic Award.”  Magic’s contributory efforts need to be recognized for helping improve the lives of many who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. This in turn helps by providing hope, awareness, access and prevention that pleases many…but not all.  If you would like to get involved with the Magic Johnson Foundation, please Click here to learn more about it.

On Worlds Aids Day, I attended a local event at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Phoenix.  The evening began with a speaker presenting some startling facts about HIV. Following the speaker, the attendees were entertained with a show & music that was well received on a warm evening that closed out with prayers that honored the memories of those who’ve passed away. I urge you to take a moment to express your appreciation and give the gift of service by volunteering and lending a hand as often as possible to anyone you may know who is infected and to the many (ASO) Aids Service Organizations & Educational services that rely heavily on volunteers to spread the word of awareness, prevention, and treatment to those facing the many challenges of HIV/AIDS.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday!
Kelly Markell

The HIV AIDS Pandemic

You may ask yourself–how did this all start?  Where did HIV come from?  According to WebMD.com, “AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981.  That’s about half the number of people who died in World War II.  And it’s not over.  1.1 million Americans are among the 33 million people now living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.”

Somewhere around the start of the 20^th century, scientists believe a hunter in West Central Africa killed an infected chimpanzee, and in the process, the virus entered into the hunter’s bloodstream.  The virus spread among human hosts, but the deaths were associated with other diseases.  By 1981, the disease was first identified among gay men in the United States, but the HIV AIDS Pandemic was soon recognized as impacting all genders and sexual orientations.   In 1985, the term “HIV” was internationally recognized as the accepted term for the infection.  Sadly, this is also the time of some of the greatest panic and prejudice directed towards people living with HIV.  In fact, it has only been this year, 2010, that the federal government has lifted the ban against allowing citizens of other nations who are HIV positive,  to freely enter the United States.

image courtesy of healthday.com

Between 1996-1997, a new type of drug intervention reduced the death rate of Americans with HIV by more than 40 percent.  Sadly, the HIV AIDS Pandemic continues to ravage other national populations that cannot afford the new drugs.   By the start of this decade, AIDS became the world wide number one killer of people between the ages of 15-59.

image courtesy of momspharmacy.com

The HIV AIDS Pandemic has also recently been reflected in a soaring of infection rates in the United States.  In 2008, new HIV rates were up by 11 percent from what they were in 2003.

*************************************

MyHIVAIDSAWawareness was created to meet the needs of people newly diagnosed with HIV and people who have been living with HIV for a significant amount of time and need to have an easily accessible overview of the current updates and options in living with HIV.

Remember—you don’t have to be infected with HIV to be affected.    Just so, MyHIVAIDSawareness  was also designed for people who care about someone with HIV, even if they aren’t HIV positive themselves.

For everyone, there is a lot to learn, and as science advances, knowledge can change, requiring updates.   This is one of the challenges of the Internet—when you do searches on HIV and AIDS awareness, you may find information that is no longer current or accurate.  MyHIVAIDSawareness has a committed staff active in providing you with useful and accurate information.