Today is World AIDS Day. It’s the day we mark to help raise awareness, change attitudes and stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS. The first World AIDS Day was held on December 1, 1988.
I have never known anyone personally who has had AIDS before, but I have a few people I consider friends with HIV. Though no longer considered a death sentence, the figures are still high.
International Statistics from 2008
People living with HIV:
- 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide
- 31.3 million adults
- 15.7 million women
- 2.1 million children under 15
New HIV cases in 2008:
- 2.7 million people
- 2.3 million adults
- 430,000 children under 15
HIV-related deaths in 2008:
2 million total deaths
British Columbia will be hosting the following events:
Victoria
Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise service of prayer and worship
Vancouver
World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil @ UBC
World AIDS Day Concert
World Aids Day Concert (Jammin Local Impacting Global)
