Update for the week and Re-itteration. HIV and AIDS are still epidemics

So HIV and AID's are still here, impacting over 35 million people worldwide. Usually, when something that doesn't directly affect you or your life, it isn't so important after all. The issue with HIV and AIDs is that it will indirectly affect your life whether you know it or not. There are many ways to get involved with  the cause by donating time or money, or both. 

I know that we can solve most of the worlds problems with some action. Now a days, its strange to find someone dying from HIV or AIDs considering all of the advances we have made in modern science and medicine. So within this past week two stories that inspired me came up in the news. The newest being the hope for a vaccine. You can check out the article I read here. It has only been successful while testing on monkeys, but financial support is what keeps these advances in HIV and AIDs medicine possible. There are the simple things you can do to help stop the spread of the virus, and eradicate it completely.

1. Get tested regularly- Knowing your status can make all the difference. Being able to address it, take the necessary steps to staying healthy, and stopping the spread of the virus beginning with you, whether you have been diagnosed or not.

2. Always practice safe sex! Whether they are moments of weakness or mis-judgement, you don't have to become a statistic. Black and African american people are hit the hardest with this disease  in America, the higher in that group being among STRAIGHT black women. Protected sex is your #1 defense against HIV and AIDs among other things that can be transmitted during sex.

3. Be a smart junkie. Now I am not advocating that you should be sharing needles or doing drugs. A good percent of new infections however have come from sharing needles. Sadly, this is the advice I can offer. At least I know throughout NYC there is the needle program. You are able to purchase syringes over the counter at participating pharmacies. This was an initiative enacted in part to help lower the transfer through drug use. You can check out this for a list of other states that participate.

There are a lot of things you can do to make a difference, but first thing is to take a step toward the change. This obviously isn't an epidemic facing only one group, or transmitted only one way. It is a smart disease and if we can outsmart it, we can win. Get involved in your community and any way you can, and spread this message of hope. 

I'll leave you with this ask. Can you support my efforts in the AIDs Walk NYC . This money goes towards research, direct help, and a lot more. The fight isn't a simple one but it is worth it. If you want, join my team and walk for the cause. Check out my page for more information.

One Love-Chris

Aggressive New HIV Strain - Call to Action!

So the way you thought about HIV before could be changing. It isn't a death sentenced like it was in the past, but with this new strain, that could change. The issue with a group studied in Cuba is that the strain they had was progressively getting worse. Read the article from Time magazine here.

Things like this is a major reason why my blog is up and out there, and I want to make a difference! And I want to keep people in the know. The AID's walk is something I do, being affected by HIV almost the past 3 years now. I also do it for the family I have lost, my family has lost, and to those who have lost their life, or are battling through it now. Even the smallest donation can make a difference. Help me with my goal to raise $1000 with as little or as much as you can give. Whether that is financially, your time in walking, or just spreading the word, everything matters and counts in this battle.

I am designing a t-shirt to help the cause. You can wear it for your everyday support. The purchase price will include the cost of the shirts, with the rest all  being donated to the walk to support the cause. We can make a difference. HIV and AID's should not be something anyone dies from and I want to be apart in making that difference.

One Love- Chris

Blog-Restart. Lets talk advocacy- AID's and more

I always come back to wanting to use my blog. I found a great name I like, I just haven't found a great purpose, until now. So... it's advocacy! Specifically for gay rights, AID's and HIV related issues, gay youth, coming out, and of course the random things I find interesting (World According to Chris).

So I started a tradition this year with my mom, talking everyday. Even if it was just to say hi, which it never is, I make sure I call her every morning. So after talking this morning she inspired me to do something great especially with a lot of this free time that I have. (and here is the background) She has a ministry, Second Chance Services, that feeds the homeless. It is still building, but she has fed hundreds of people, and with the help of others, she had her biggest event most recently on Thanksgiving day. There were several sites through out NJ that fed the homeless; lot's of man hours and money went into the event, ALL DONATED OR VOLUNTEERED. She said to me, you don't have to have money to start and do something great.

I figured with my web-savvy ways and social media influence, I can raise awareness on issues, and in turn raise money for great causes. So my goal now for the next coming weeks is to start a fundraising campaign for the AID's walk in NYC. Now I know a lot of people are doing something, but I want to be a contributing factor to it. My goal is to personally raise over $1000.00 and get 5 people to walk.

I know this is very possible with help, passion, and determination. I want to make a difference in as many ways as I can so to start, I have a lot of time I can be giving to the cause. Spread the word and if you live in NYC, stay tuned for more info regarding what you can do for the actual walk. I will be keeping you updated on my progress; site links for donations, educational and informative articles, and much more. Eventually I will also be posting about events and ways regarding the support to an end to homelessness, one mouth at a time. I believe through my mothers ministry, and with just 1 person, a difference can be made. Stay tuned #greatthingstocome