World Aids Day – December 1, 2016

Follow and join the conversation with #WorldAIDSDay, #WAD2016, and #EndAIDS.

Started in 1988, World Aids Day was the first ever global health day. Today WAD is observed each year on December 1 and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and remember those who have died. Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have HIV. 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. Below are some of the organizations working tirelessly to end HIV once and for all.

UNAIDS
UNAIDS (@UNAIDS), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. In the video below UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, gives an update on the organization’s progress and the direction it needs to go in the future.

PEPFAR and AIDS.gov
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR (@PEPFAR), is the U.S. government initiative to help save the lives of those at risk from HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally, and PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. This year join PEPFAR’s Thunderclap to honor the progress that has been made and reaffirm a shared commitment to ending the epidemic. In addition to the Thunderclap check out the list of resources provided by @AIDS.gov, your link for U.S. HIV/AIDS & new media information.

(Red)
Most of our readers are probably old enough to remember when Bono and Bobby Shriver partnered up in 2006 to launch the (Red) campaign. Product Red (@RED) is a licensed brand that seeks to engage the private sector in raising awareness and funds to help eliminate HIV/AIDS in Africa. (RED) partners with the world’s most iconic brands that contribute up to 50% of profits from (RED)-branded goods and services to Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Over the past decade, (Red) has raised $365 million with the help of their partners. You can easily support the cause online, now through December, by participating in (Red)’s second annual (SHOPATHON) where you’ll find winnable celebrity experiences and hundreds of products.

You can fight AIDS by checking out @RED‘s second annual (SHOPATHON) → https://t.co/xHJBuycxI9 pic.twitter.com/WFpn9mMZHJ

— ONE (@ONECampaign) November 28, 2016