World AIDS Day - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Pirate Jenny · 12-01-2004, 07:44 PM

Today (1 December) is World Aids Day....a reminder that AIDS and HIV affect everyone, can strike anyone, and has no cure yet.

5 people die of AIDS every minute.

8,000 people die of it every day.

3.1 Million people died of AIDS in 2004 (so far)

In many countries in Africa, 1/3 of the adults are infected with AIDS or HIV.

39.4 Million people are living with AIDS as of December, 2004, and over 23 million people have died from it since it was discovered in 1981.

From http://www.avert.org/worldaid.htm

Quote:

Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS is the theme of the 2004 World AIDS day. Around the world there are many different ways in which HIV and AIDS affect women. Among them are :

* Transmission. HIV/AIDS has been thought of in the past as a disease mainly affecting gay men or drug users. In fact, in 2004, most HIV infections come from heterosexual sex. And in heterosexual sex, women are more likely to become infected than are men.
* Mother to child transmission of HIV accounted for 90% of all babies infected in 2003. A drug is cheaply available to greatly reduce the chances of this occurring, but it fails to be provided to many women around the world. HIV can also be transmitted by breast milk, which is easily substituted for artificial alternatives --also, often unavailable.
* Sexual violence is an issue affecting women everywhere in the world. It can be even more damaging when it involves the transmission, sometimes deliberate, of HIV. A new and alarming phenomenon that has been seen in the past decade is the use of HIV as a weapon of war. In conflict areas such as Rwanda and Kosovo there have been reports of thousands of women being raped and purposely infected with HIV as part of a campaign of 'ethnic cleansing'.
* Discrimination is an issue which has affected women for many decades. It can impact on their job prospects, their economic and social position, their access to healthcare and education. Women who have HIV may experience discrimination on two fronts, and if the healthcare services discriminate against them, their lives can be shortened as a result.
* Men are the most common route of HIV transmission to women. In fact, most women infected with HIV have caught the virus from a husband or partner.

What you can do:

-Spread awareness. Post a message, write an email, leave a link on your website. Wear a red ribbon. Just get the word out.

-If you have a few bucks to spare, donate it to an AIDS charity. There are many reputable ones, and you can do it without leaving your seat.

-Protect yourself, and those you love, by wearing protection.

Lets do what we can to get this epidemic eradicated.

Chambers · 12-01-2004, 08:17 PM

There's such a long way to go, but the world has made some progress. The more people are aware of the problem, the more we can pressure our governments to do something about it. Some countries, like Brazil, have already managed to break the patent law barriers in order to make cheap generic drugs for its citizens. As a result, HIV-related deaths have dramatically been reduced (in those countries).

This is no time for pharmaceutical companies to make a profit. This is a humanitarian crisis.

PZelda · 12-01-2004, 08:25 PM

Ryan White was a major spokesperson for AIDS. He was a boy from Indiana who had hemophilia and needed to have Factor VIII on hand at all times if he ever lost blood. In 1984, he got a batch of AIDS-infected Factor VIII (this was before they tested all blood for AIDS) and he got really sick from it. They didn't give him very long to live. I can't remember how long they gave him, but he lived longer than that. He had just turned 13 when he was diagnosed with AIDS and AIDS finally took a toll on him and he passed away on April 8, 1990.

I will forever remember his story. There is a great book about him - "Ryan White: My Own Story". I read it at least once a year. He raised so much awareness about AIDS in a time when people didn't know a lot about such a terrible disease.

Pirate Jenny · 12-01-2004, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chambers
There's such a long way to go, but the world has made some progress. The more people are aware of the problem, the more we can pressure our governments to do something about it. Some countries, like Brazil, have already managed to break the patent law barriers in order to make cheap generic drugs for its citizens. As a result, HIV-related deaths have dramatically been reduced (in those countries).

This is no time for pharmaceutical companies to make a profit. This is a humanitarian crisis.

You're right. Too many pharmaceutical companies are hindering our progress against this disease by refusing to give free medications to countries where AIDS is not just an epidemic and crisis, but a terrible reality of life. The more people that are aware, the less they can get away with this.

TheGreatPretender · 12-01-2004, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chambers
There's such a long way to go, but the world has made some progress. The more people are aware of the problem, the more we can pressure our governments to do something about it. Some countries, like Brazil, have already managed to break the patent law barriers in order to make cheap generic drugs for its citizens. As a result, HIV-related deaths have dramatically been reduced (in those countries).

This is no time for pharmaceutical companies to make a profit. This is a humanitarian crisis.

MissZero · 12-01-2004, 09:19 PM

it depresses me to think about it. It's sad to think about the state of Sub-Sahara Africa. It makes me more arrogant to think about the asses on the Yahoo board who don't want help for AIDS. For example, heres one of the boards I was on:

Message board (I'm there_sa4eva)

back on track, I really hope that the AIDS situation gets better not just in Africa but in the world

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 12-01-2004, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheGreatPretender

Ditto. And there's still so many others...

Pirate Jenny · 12-01-2004, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MissZero

back on track, I really hope that the AIDS situation gets better not just in Africa but in the world

I hope so too. But I have to do more than just hope.

I'm joining the Peace Corps either before or after medical school to work specifically in educating AIDS prevention in third world contries.

I display a red ribbon on my bookbag.

I volunteer for the AIDS Walk.

What have all of you done? Even if it's just dropping loose change into a collection for an AIDS charity, why don't we share?

MissZero · 12-01-2004, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pirate Jenny
I hope so too. But I have to do more than just hope.

I'm joining the Peace Corps either before or after medical school to work specifically in educating AIDS prevention in third world contries.

I display a red ribbon on my bookbag.

I volunteer for the AIDS Walk.

What have all of you done? Even if it's just dropping loose change into a collection for an AIDS charity, why don't we share?

I'm trying to get my Youth Center to do something for AIDS benefit for Youth Service Day.

barwars · 12-01-2004, 10:11 PM

I wore a Red Ribbon today, and was silent during school.

vashti1999 · 12-01-2004, 10:19 PM

I've donated to AIDS Walk New York.

I've always been sympathetic to the cause of finding a cure and stopping the spread of the disease, even before I ever personally knew anyone who was infected. One of my closest friends is HIV+, but thankfully that hasn't stopped him from continuing to live the same, full life he's always lived. I definitely want to make a better effort of volunteering more of my time and money to benefit AIDS prevention and treatment.

AKA · 12-01-2004, 10:26 PM

Chambers · 12-01-2004, 11:31 PM

Now this is activism.

"In Hong Kong, a man dresses as a condom to increase awareness on World Aids Day."

(from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4058671.stm)

Pirate Jenny · 12-02-2004, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chambers
Now this is activism.

"In Hong Kong, a man dresses as a condom to increase awareness on World Aids Day."

(from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4058671.stm)

That doesn't really look like any condom I've ever seen.
I think mostly cause his tennis shoe is sticking out and you can't see the distinctive "reservoir" tip.

Chambers · 12-02-2004, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pirate Jenny
That doesn't really look like any condom I've ever seen.

Well that's what happens when every guy thinks he's worthy of the jumbo size. Not pretty. Damn condom industry.

12-01-2004, 08:17 PM	#2
Chambers The Crane Trinity Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2004 Location: Where everybody knows a Crane. Posts: 5,427	There's such a long way to go, but the world has made some progress. The more people are aware of the problem, the more we can pressure our governments to do something about it. Some countries, like Brazil, have already managed to break the patent law barriers in order to make cheap generic drugs for its citizens. As a result, HIV-related deaths have dramatically been reduced (in those countries). This is no time for pharmaceutical companies to make a profit. This is a humanitarian crisis.
	__________________ Member of the "God, Lilith is so ing cool" Fan Club Where everybody knows your tossed salads and scrambled eggs. FREEDOM OF THOUGHT blank

12-01-2004, 08:25 PM	#3
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Ryan White was a major spokesperson for AIDS. He was a boy from Indiana who had hemophilia and needed to have Factor VIII on hand at all times if he ever lost blood. In 1984, he got a batch of AIDS-infected Factor VIII (this was before they tested all blood for AIDS) and he got really sick from it. They didn't give him very long to live. I can't remember how long they gave him, but he lived longer than that. He had just turned 13 when he was diagnosed with AIDS and AIDS finally took a toll on him and he passed away on April 8, 1990. I will forever remember his story. There is a great book about him - "Ryan White: My Own Story". I read it at least once a year. He raised so much awareness about AIDS in a time when people didn't know a lot about such a terrible disease.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

12-01-2004, 09:19 PM	#6
MissZero serve it up baby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 12, 2004 Location: Pa (Blah) Posts: 1,901	it depresses me to think about it. It's sad to think about the state of Sub-Sahara Africa. It makes me more arrogant to think about the asses on the Yahoo board who don't want help for AIDS. For example, heres one of the boards I was on: Message board (I'm there_sa4eva) back on track, I really hope that the AIDS situation gets better not just in Africa but in the world
	__________________ ~MissZero~

12-01-2004, 10:19 PM	#11
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	I've donated to AIDS Walk New York. I've always been sympathetic to the cause of finding a cure and stopping the spread of the disease, even before I ever personally knew anyone who was infected. One of my closest friends is HIV+, but thankfully that hasn't stopped him from continuing to live the same, full life he's always lived. I definitely want to make a better effort of volunteering more of my time and money to benefit AIDS prevention and treatment.
	__________________ .

12-01-2004, 10:26 PM	#12
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Attached Images

12-01-2004, 10:11 PM	#10
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	I wore a Red Ribbon today, and was silent during school.

12-01-2004, 11:31 PM	#13
Chambers The Crane Trinity Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2004 Location: Where everybody knows a Crane. Posts: 5,427	Now this is activism. "In Hong Kong, a man dresses as a condom to increase awareness on World Aids Day." (from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4058671.stm) Attached Images