July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
AIDS Day to be marked Dec. 1
Editor's Mailbag
By To the editor-
I am preparing for World AIDS Day 2003, observed every year on Dec. 1.
The haunting reality is that this is an epidemic that affects all communities in every nation, in every state and — most importantly for all of us to realize — in every community, no matter how large or small.
One of the projects that I am working on is providing Christmas baskets and gifts (A big thank you to the Evening Optimist Club for stepping in and helping the agency out) for local families who are affected with HIV/AIDS, from right here in our little community.
While working on AIDS Awareness week projects, I received a return call from one of our local hospice organizations. One of the clients and families that we were wanting to provide some Christmas cheer for had passed away.
It seems that the passing of family members before or during the holiday season is one thing that most of us will always remember for the rest of what time we have left in this life. It also was a reminder to me, as we are working on World AIDS Day events that with all of the worldwide data and statistics, that this epidemic is right here, and in every community.
No one is in a bubble, and realistic prevention education and funding for direct client services are more needed now than ever here in the United States, in Indiana and in every community.
Now, for some statistical information according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) — released on Tuesday.
Over 42 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, including an estimated 2.5 million under the age of 15. About 5 million people were infected in 2003 and more than three million died. According to Dr. Peter Piot, head of the Joint UNAIDS, “The AIDS epidemic continues to expand — we haven’t reached the limit yet. Deaths and new cases of HIV/AIDS reached new highs in 2003; more people have become infected this year than ever before and more people have died from AIDS than ever before.”
More than 25 million people have died from AIDS, 14 million children have become orphaned by the death of one or both parents, and nearly 14, 000 people are becoming infected with HIV every day. These numbers will only continue to rise.
And while classical vaccine approaches have been successful in conquering other viral diseases such as polio, smallpox and measles, they have not worked for HIV.
No matter how wonderful they sound when announced by the media, nothing is working. Advances have indeed been made to fight the battle of HIV/AIDS, but ironically, these very advances have created a dangerous misconception that the AIDS crisis is over. Nothing could be further from the truth, and that is why all of us working so diligently in the AIDS arena need community members’ help.
Support your local service organizations, get involved, become a volunteer, donate needed items, money, become educated about the epidemic, educate others, and get tested if you feel that you have been at risk or exposed to the virus.
We are all but creatures on a journey of a beautiful gift called life. Make the best of each and every day of this gift, make good choices for yourself and those in your life, provide hope, encouragement, support and love for your neighbors in a non-judgmental fashion.
This is, after all, one thing that we can make happen to make our own journeys more complete and fulfilling.
For more information please call the AIDS Task Force of East Central Indiana at (260) 726-3880 or toll-free (877) 243-7528.
Peace and Serenity,
Jack R. James II,
executive director,
AIDS Task Force of
East Central Indiana/Jay
County AIDS Task Force
[[In-content Ad]]
The haunting reality is that this is an epidemic that affects all communities in every nation, in every state and — most importantly for all of us to realize — in every community, no matter how large or small.
One of the projects that I am working on is providing Christmas baskets and gifts (A big thank you to the Evening Optimist Club for stepping in and helping the agency out) for local families who are affected with HIV/AIDS, from right here in our little community.
While working on AIDS Awareness week projects, I received a return call from one of our local hospice organizations. One of the clients and families that we were wanting to provide some Christmas cheer for had passed away.
It seems that the passing of family members before or during the holiday season is one thing that most of us will always remember for the rest of what time we have left in this life. It also was a reminder to me, as we are working on World AIDS Day events that with all of the worldwide data and statistics, that this epidemic is right here, and in every community.
No one is in a bubble, and realistic prevention education and funding for direct client services are more needed now than ever here in the United States, in Indiana and in every community.
Now, for some statistical information according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) — released on Tuesday.
Over 42 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, including an estimated 2.5 million under the age of 15. About 5 million people were infected in 2003 and more than three million died. According to Dr. Peter Piot, head of the Joint UNAIDS, “The AIDS epidemic continues to expand — we haven’t reached the limit yet. Deaths and new cases of HIV/AIDS reached new highs in 2003; more people have become infected this year than ever before and more people have died from AIDS than ever before.”
More than 25 million people have died from AIDS, 14 million children have become orphaned by the death of one or both parents, and nearly 14, 000 people are becoming infected with HIV every day. These numbers will only continue to rise.
And while classical vaccine approaches have been successful in conquering other viral diseases such as polio, smallpox and measles, they have not worked for HIV.
No matter how wonderful they sound when announced by the media, nothing is working. Advances have indeed been made to fight the battle of HIV/AIDS, but ironically, these very advances have created a dangerous misconception that the AIDS crisis is over. Nothing could be further from the truth, and that is why all of us working so diligently in the AIDS arena need community members’ help.
Support your local service organizations, get involved, become a volunteer, donate needed items, money, become educated about the epidemic, educate others, and get tested if you feel that you have been at risk or exposed to the virus.
We are all but creatures on a journey of a beautiful gift called life. Make the best of each and every day of this gift, make good choices for yourself and those in your life, provide hope, encouragement, support and love for your neighbors in a non-judgmental fashion.
This is, after all, one thing that we can make happen to make our own journeys more complete and fulfilling.
For more information please call the AIDS Task Force of East Central Indiana at (260) 726-3880 or toll-free (877) 243-7528.
Peace and Serenity,
Jack R. James II,
executive director,
AIDS Task Force of
East Central Indiana/Jay
County AIDS Task Force
[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD