FIGHT AGAINST AIDS. . .

Tragedies have come through the years but nothing has taken over as the HIV/AIDS epidemic. For every 1 person having sex at a given second, 1.8 lives are lost to HIV/AIDS. Are people even aware that AIDS stands for “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome”? Do people know that a person can live years with the virus, but not have contracted AIDS? How is it possible that in this day and age one of the world’s top killers still does not get the adequate attention that it should?

How can people still live their lives in such disregard by not practicing safe sex? How can people put their lives as well as the lives of others on a balance by being promiscuous? Each and every one of us has either known a relative, friend, or acquaintance or even heard about a stranger who has lost their life to HIV/AIDS. I can speak first hand on how painful it is to watch someone lose their very existence. Come from a healthy, active person, to a frail child-like vessel without an ounce of strength to lift up their hand and eat: to wither away to a state of nothingness.

In a world overwhelmed with sex, there seems to be a discord between the euphoric feelings and sensations that lead people to being sexually active, and the heart wrenching deterioration of him/her that becomes an AIDS victim. I feel it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to know our status. And from there actively advocate for safe sex and awareness of HIV/AIDS. We talk about being the generation of change, why then can we not change the fate we are headed for, by becoming a part of the solution rather than the means for the cause!? World AIDS day is December 1st, and yes whilst not all of us believe in going out and standing up for a cause through community service, each can make a personal pledge to get tested, know their status and wrap it up! Elizabeth Taylor said, “It is bad enough people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance.” So I challenge everyone, to be safer, to be wiser and to be an active member in this fight against AIDS.