World AIDS Day: 10 great ways you can help raise awareness

Don't be indifferent about World AIDS Day. Go out, be involved, and do your share to increase HIV and AIDS awareness.

Do something meaningful on World AIDS Day

December 1 is when the Philippines and all other United Nations member countries commemorate World AIDS Day. This has been a yearly practice for the past 26 years to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

According to international HIV and AIDS charity AVERT, the outbreak has already taken around 30 million lives since 1990, worldwide. In the Philippines, 20,424 cases have been reported in the past 30 years.

So don’t be indifferent about World AIDS Day. Get out, be involved, and do your part to educate others about HIV and AIDS and intensify efforts to contain the pandemic.

Here are 10 ways you can help...

Wear a red ribbon

The National AIDS Trust of UK enjoins one and all to "Put a ribbon on it.”

When you sport this internationally-recognized symbol, you convey solidarity with AIDS victims and those afflicted with HIV. So, remind family, friends, neighbors and office mates to wear one too.

Distinguish fact from fallacy

Know the myths and truths about AIDS and HIV so that you can provide your children with the right information. Two common myths are that you will be infected if you kiss and touch someone who has HIV and that only homosexual men get the virus.

These are the facts, though, according to WebMD’s HIV and AIDS Health Center: you can get HIV from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid or breast milk, and about 16% of men and 78% of women become HIV-positive through heterosexual contact.

Read the World Health Organization's fact sheet on AIDS to be better informed.

Donate money to HIV and AIDS advocacy groups

Locally, some groups you can give money to would be the AIDS Society of the Philippines, The Project Red Ribbon, Love Yourself, Inc., Cebu Plus Association, Inc., Pinoy Plus Association, Inc., Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc., and Yoga for Life Foundation.

Say a prayer

Say a prayer for all who had died of AIDS and for people today who are suffering from the dreaded disease.

Run

Stay fit while fighting AIDS through sporty events like the World AIDS Day Run that will be held on December 6 at the Parkmall Grounds of Mandaue City in Cebu.

Alternatively, you can fight AIDS one mile at a time by joining Nike, Red, and Bank of America’s global "One Step Closer/Turn your Miles (Red)” Program. For every mile run from October 12 to December 7, 2014, Bank of America will donate 40 cents to the US Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Volunteer

Sign up and work for free for an AIDS-related project or an HIV-fighting group. Those who volunteer are usually asked how they want to serve and what their areas of expertise are to make the experience more effective and fulfilling.

Raise funds

Bake cookies or cupcakes to sell, make statement shirts, or organize a musical event. After, give the proceeds to an NGO advocating AIDS awareness or to a Filipino struggling with HIV.

Be an online activist

Rather than waste time surfing aimlessly, share with your online contacts details of upcoming AIDS project or events.

Know the latest laws concerning HIV and AIDS

These new regulations can affect your family. Find out, for example, if the government has made HIV-testing mandatory and what age range is covered by the requirement.

It helps to be informed as well about which organizations offer free testing in case you or someone you know would need it in the future.

See a doctor for a checkup

Get a comprehensive health exam especially if you are middle-aged and haven’t had one in recent years. Do not ignore symptoms like pain, dizziness, and chronic fatigue.

Follow the doctor’s advice regarding medication, good nutrition, staying fit and practicing safe sex. Make sure you are in the pink of health to live longer and happily with your spouse and kids.

Join the fight against HIV and AIDS

Here's a scary fact. Data from the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center show that this year, two new HIV cases are reported every three hours in the Philippines.

The fight against HIV and AIDS is a local one as much as it is global. Filipinos have joined rallies, lit candles, released lanterns, held contests, and supported other significant activities in recent years.

What have you done and contributed so far?

About the author: Regina Posadas

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