World AIDS Day 2017...

What does World AIDS Day really mean? 
 
What does it mean to me?

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Question 1 of 2...
​What does World AIDS Day mean?

World AIDS Day (according to Wikipedia, link here) is a day "dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease".  Its a day were governmental and non-governmental health officials, organizations and individuals "around the world observe the day, often with education of AIDS prevention and control".

WHO (World Health Organization, link here) says this years theme is "Everybody Counts" which is explained in a release from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO-Director General (link).  If you read the release, Dr Ghebreyesus states (simply put) that though we have come a long way on the education and treatment of HIV/AIDS, we are still missing a large portion of those infected.  

Wiki reports there are 36.7 million people living with HIV and Dr. Ghebreyesus says in his release that 21 million people are receiving treatment.  While there are approximately still 29 to 47 million people worldwide who lose their life every year to this monstrous disease.  Now, I don't know about you, but I am discombobulated by these numbers.  Provided these numbers are true (or even close) this means there are approximately 16 million people who are infected by HIV and are not receiving treatment.  Why?  How come these people aren't getting help? I know all the bureaucratic reasons for why they aren't being treated, but its unacceptable.

What does it mean to me?

This is something that took some time for me to figure out.  I have a few friends who are touched by this disease either by personally being diagnosed or loving someone who is.  

However, I never had anyone in my life, prior to the last two years, who had ever come into such intimate contact.  Over the last two years, I have learned about its history and its treatment.  I have also learned about the emotional toll it takes on family, friends, and partners, as well as the patient themselves.  So my views about HIV/AIDS are three points...

1.  No one (even my worst enemy) should have to fight for their life in such a way as to have to decide between having medicine to treat or food to eat.
2.  The demise of this disease is possible, we just have to get past the bureaucracy and pharmaceutical money machines and get back to taking care of our people.  And,...
3.  If your pos, I will love you and protect you the best way I can.  I will do the right thing and fight for education, fight for funding, fight for research and fight for treatments because even if you are the biggest douchebag on the planet (like the ones that go out to infect others over emotional issues) you don't deserve to have to do this alone, or at all. 

I know it's the end of the day, but sometimes when you share deep enough timelines don't matter.

Be safe one and all. 
Protect yourself and those you love. 
Remember those who have lost the war with HIV/AIDS and
never forget those who are still fighting in the trenches.

Blessed Monday night!