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