World AIDS Day: Unite to Raise Awareness and Reduce Stigma

Today is World AIDS Day. Worldwide, an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, an estimated one million Americans are living with HIV. HIV is still an incurable but preventable virus that is spreading faster than we can influence it among those who have unprotected sex. People still think it won't happen to them

Brandywine Counseling’s goal today is to remind you that HIV/AIDS is still a critical issue in the U.S. and around the world, and to promote HIV testing. We are taking part in Bloggers Unite on World AIDS Day 2008, a collaboration of AIDS.gov, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and Blog Catalog.

So here are some ways you can further the cause and elevate the voice of HIV/AIDS awareness online:

Learn the link about HIV/AIDS and drug abuse by viewing NIDA’s online Webisodes, a video series about how non-injection drug use can lead to increased risk behavior, and can change lives forever. Once you learn the link, be sure to send the link to friends and family.

Join the AIDS.gov Facing AIDS World AIDS Day Campaign. It’s simple - take a photo of yourself wearing a red ribbon and put the photo on your social networking site (such as Facebook or MySpace), blog, Twitter page, or Web site. The goal is to help eliminate stigma and recognize World AIDS Day online. They also have Web badges that you can share with your friends and colleagues and add a to your Web site or blog.

Use your wall, status, tweets or Web site to encourage HIV testing. BCI provides free and confidential rapid testing, with results given in 20 minutes. Testing is available at every Needle Exchange Site, or call 302-655-9880, ext. 21 for an appointment. Picture ID is required. If you’re outside the Wilmington, Delaware area, find an HIV testing site near you (in the U.S.) by sending a text message with your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit: http://www.hivtest.org/. Encourage your friends to do the same and to promote HIV testing!