Reflection written by Nicole Cheng, Executive Liaison, TDN Cross-cultural Youth Coalition. Dec. 1, 2015

Each year, on the first of December, people all over the world observe World AIDS Day – a day dedicated to those who fighting HIV/AIDS, as well as those who have already lost their lives to AIDS. It is a day to commemorate the people who struggle with this condition, and to show our support for these communities. World AIDS Day has been known for uniting people with and without AIDS from all over the vast globe. World AIDS Day was the very first global health day, starting all the way back in 1988. Over the years, it has gained popularity and publicity, as more and more people are seeing the prevalence and the effects of the disease. In fact, it is estimated that over thirty-four million people are affected by HIV/AIDS globally.

Although the virus was only discovered in 1984, which is relatively recent, an estimated thirty-five million people have died from it, making it one of the most devastating epidemics known to man. According to the UNAIDS executive summary, in 2001, there were 3 million new HIV infections – 580,000 of them were in children. In 2009, 14.4 million children were orphaned due to AIDS. The most tragic part is that HIV is no longer untreatable: a year of HIV treatment is under $100, and yet, people all over the world are dying from HIV/AIDS.

“Although the annual number of AIDS-related deaths worldwide fell by 35% from 2005 to 2013,
deaths among adolescents (ages 10-19) living with HIV have sharply risen, increasing by 50%
from 2005 to 2012. In the era of antiretroviral therapy, AIDS remains the second leading cause
of death among adolescents globally and the leading cause of death among adolescents
in sub-Saharan Africa.”
World Health Organization*

World AIDS Day is the day for us all to reflect on how many lives can be saved if we make a small contribution and spread awareness to those around us. We live with such abundant resources, and we have the opportunity to make such a difference. On December first of every year, remember to show your support by wearing a red ribbon. Through the recently-adopted Sustainable Development Goals, we hope to “fast-track” to zero – to have zero AIDS-infected people, to have zero orphaned children because of AIDS, to have zero people without access to proper treatment, and more.

*Health for the World’s Adolescents, 2014