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Participate in World Aids Day- December 1st!
World AIDS Day, every year on December 1st, is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This annual event encourages us to acknowledge the fact that approximately 40 million people are currently living with AIDS. Plan to participate! Whether it be by organizing a school event or simply wearing a red ribbon to show your support, here is the history of how the day came to be and some examples of how you can do something!
History of World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day has been around since December 1, 1988. It started as a day to share messages of hope, compassion and understanding about AIDS to the world. The organization behind World AIDS Day is the World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programs for AIDS Prevention. The aim of World AIDS Day is to bring to people's attention the worldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic in order to prevent the spread of HIV and improve the lives of people living with the virus. World AIDS Day is honored around the world and it's the only international day that takes action against AIDS.
What Others Have Done that YOU Can Too
- The red ribbon has been an international symbol of HIV for fifteen years. Wear one as a sign that together the world CAN stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice. Wearing a red ribbon is one of the easiest ways you can make a difference on 1 December. Not just by wearing one yourself, but also encouraging your friends, colleagues and family to wear one as well. You can also put up a red ribbon collection box for your workplace, school, community centre or event to raise awareness of HIV and fundraise for a worth HIV/AIDS foundation.
- Set up an information table at school. Health clinics in your area would most likely be helpful in providing pamphlets and other informational hand-outs for your table. Also, you can combine the ribbon idea by handing out red ribbons with your HIV/AIDS info.
- Have a movie viewing. Ask your teacher or principal if you can hold a movie viewing in the auditorium or just in class with an HIV/AIDS specific film. Movie such as “And the Band Played On,” “Longtime Companion,” or “Philadelphia” would all be appropriate for the day. Check out some tips for an HIV/AIDS movie night!
- Hold an open forum for students or members of the community to speak out about the diseases impact on them. There are undoubtedly people in your surrounding area or community that have dealt with AIDS on a personal level. You can have an open discussion forum where people can speak about how the disease has affected them. It’s up to all of us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice, and we can only do this by talking about it.
- Gather signatures. Some schools have chosen to gather students’ signatures in order to attract more attention from the federal government for medical care. Always ask permission before asking for signatures and make sure it is cleared with your school’s administration before you write up a petition.
- Create a display. Whether it be a mural, a display of red balloons, or just making your student body a living display by having everyone where red, you can choose any way you’d like to commemorate the hope and bring attention to the issue.
- One high school in Kansas created a special display honoring those affected by AIDS and HIV by having 71 red balloons on the fence outside their school- each of the 71 red balloons represented 20 teenagers who have died or have been diagnosed with HIV that year in the U.S.
There are tons of ways to bring attention on World AIDS Day. So, no matter what you decide…just do something on December 1st!
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