World AIDS Day 2010

Today, December 1st, 2010, marks the 22nd annual World AIDS Day.  Today campaigners around the world will stage marches, events, conferences, faith-based services and a multitude of other activities to commemorate those we have lost, show solidarity with people affected by HIV, to celebrate the progress we have made and to commemorate this year’s theme of universal access and human rights. With events held around the world, from film screenings in Ireland to community gatherings in Mexico and a candlelight vigil in Pittsburgh, this is truly a global initiative.

While Amizade volunteers work with HIV/AIDS awareness and education programs around the world we remember that this is a local issue as well, with over one million people living with HIV in the United States and an infection rate of at least 3% in Washington, D.C., putting the District’s HIV/AIDS rates on par with Uganda and parts of Kenya*.

To learn more about World AIDS Day, what you can do, and to find an event near you, visit http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/

*according to a 2009 Washington Post article, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/14/AR2009031402176.html