World AIDS Day 2007

The pandemic still lingers. On the eve of World AIDS Day (December 1st), there are 33.2 million people around the world living with HIV -- including 2.5 million children. More than a million people in the United States are living with the virus.

The good news is that there have been tremendous strides made with the development of new treatments to stem the virus. Over 29 medications have been approved in the U. S. to fight the virus, and many more are in development. People with AIDS are living longer, and with better quality lives in the western world. However, that's not true in the developing nations. And not all AIDS patients respond to the treatments. People are still dying!

More needs to be done! The World AIDS Campaign's (WAC) slogan for 2007 World AIDS Day is "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise." It's a call to government leadership, policy makers, and health planners to do all they can to meet goals that were set to stop AIDS. The 2007 theme of "Leadership" is a reminder of the need for innovation, creativity, and drive to address the AIDS challenge.

We mustn't forget, that in all of our communities there are people who struggle everyday living with HIV. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for all of us to explore what more WE can do to help. It is also a day to honor those living with the virus, and to remember those who lost the battle.

Peace.

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