Practical ways to make a difference during World AIDS Day


Today is World AIDS Day, a day we stop and take time to not only bring awareness to this virus, but to also acknowledge the many strides we are making to combat it.

The facts are:
According to the World AIDS Day site, twice as many people have AIDS now than only 10 years ago.
34 million people around the world who have the virus.
Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, over 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Something must be done.

And things are being done. 

With citizen powered movements like RED raising not only awareness with the sale of products (in red, of course), but also raising over $365 million for AIDS prevention, treatment since beginning in 2006, things are being done.

But you can do things today. Things that don't involve pinning a ribbon to your shirt or buying a new iPod in red (although if you want to, you should!) There are many simple and practical ways to honor World AIDS Day, ones that don't really involve you doing more than having a conversation.

Here are just a few.

Talk about the importance of AIDS awareness to someone
Getting tested (even if it is for no other reason other than to honor the day)
Encourage others to get tested
Take to social media to show your support


For more ways to support AIDS awareness, head to WorldAIDSDay.org

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