December 1, World AIDS Day, A Call to Compassion & Action

 

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children.  At the end of 2008, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide.  In developing and transitional countries, 9.5 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 4 million (42%) are receiving the drugs. During 2008 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS.  Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.   More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.  Africa has over 14 million AIDS orphans.

We encourage you to read the official World AIDS Day 2009 statement by Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General, United Nations. http://data.unaids.org/pub/PressStatement/2009/20091201_SG_WAD09_message_en.pdf

AIDS was first identified in the USA in 1981. The epidemic has now spread to every part of the USA and to all sectors of society.  It is thought that more than one million people are living with HIV in the USA and that more than half a million have died after developing AIDS.

Since 2000 the annual numbers of AIDS diagnoses have been relatively constant, with estimated 37,041 in 2006.  In total, an estimated 1,051,875 people have been diagnosed with AIDS in America.  The death rate among people with AIDS has also remained relatively stable in recent years; there were an estimated 14,561 deaths in 2007. Since the beginning of the epidemic, an estimated 583,298 people with AIDS have died in the USA.

Sources of information:  www.avert.org, www.unaids.org, www.aids.gov

In light of these sobering statistics and the realities of people living with HIV/AIDS in our families, local congregations, in our country and around the world, what can you and I do?  What can our local congregations, presbyteries, campus ministries, seminary communities and MLP Chapters do to make a difference as Christians? 

We are all affected by HIV/AIDS.

1.  Be informed.  HIV/AIDS has been part of our lives for nearly three decades.  Antiviral medications and HIV prevention programs save many lives, no question.  But the pandemic is not over, nor should our concern lessen. Go to the websites listed above to become better informed and share this information with others.

2.  Remember.  We invite you to remember those you have loved and lost to HIV/AIDS within your family, circle of friends, school, church or workplace.  On this World AIDS Day, light a candle, say their name and offer a prayer for all those who live with HIV/AIDS and those who provide care.  We are grateful to know that God holds all of God's children in God's heart and hands.

3.  Take Action.  Check with your local HIV/AIDS Community Service organization to see if there is a World AIDS Day event near you and join them.  If your church, campus ministry or seminary community is not participating in World AIDS Day this year, then commit to planning a prayer vigil or educational event for 2010.

We urge you to contact PAN, the Presbyterian AIDS Network.  PAN is part of PHEWA, the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association, PCUSA.  PAN was created in 1989. http://www.pcusa.org/phewa/networks/pan/leadership.htm 

How might God be calling you and your church to become a community of care and healing for those living with HIV/AIDS?  Find out what your presbytery is doing regarding HIV/AIDS ministry and if there is not one yet, start one.  Helpful resources from PAN available online at: http://www.pcusa.org/phewa/resources/resources-pan.htm#Web

This World AIDS Day, More Light Presbyterians offer a call for compassion and action.  Be informed.  Remember.  Take Action.  And, Keep the Light on for HIV & Human Rights.