by Lisa Belle

Created on: December 01, 2007   Last Updated: December 08, 2007

Millions upon millions of people around the world are affected by HIV/AIDS- whether they're victims, orphans, or friends and family of HIV sufferers. December 1st marks World AIDS Day, and there are several easy ways to support the HIV/AIDS Research and Prevention. Here are 5 tips to help you be part of the cure:

Contribute Money to AIDS Awareness Charities
By contributing money to AIDS research, education, and prevention programs, you enable scientists to research cures and prevention methods for AIDS and fund awareness and prevention programs. Here are 3 great organizations to contribute to:

1. UNAIDS.org: UNAIDS is an alliance between 10 international organizations, including UNICEF and the World Bank. Check out the site for more information.
2.RedCross.org: The American Red Cross supports AIDS education and awareness programs internationally. Additionally, the Red Cross is one of the most trusted organizations in the world.
3. PlannedParenthood.org: Planned Parenthood provides HIV/AIDS information, testing, and prevention methods at low or no cost. Planned Parenthood advocates free STD prevention devices specifically to students and at-risk groups. Donate to this organization and you'll help ensure an HIV/AIDS-free future.

Walk, Run, or Volunteer at an AIDS Race for the Cure
HIV/AIDS Walks take place throughout the year as well as on World AIDS Day. Events range from community 5k races to long city-wide fairs. Find a local event and show your support for HIV/AIDS awareness by contributing your time and energies to these public events.

Go to AIDSwalk.net or do a Google Search to find a walk near you. If you're really committed, help plan an HIV/AIDS awareness event. Try calling up local HIV/AIDS charities to ask for funding and planning assistance.

Educate Yourself
Take the opportunity of World AIDS Day to get educated about the disease. Do you know exactly how people can get the HIV virus or what you can do to protect yourself from HIV transmission? Write down your questions and familiarize yourself with this disease- only with knowledge can you help fight HIV and AIDS.

Show You Care With the Colors You Wear
You can express your awareness of World AIDS Day simply by wearing red clothes and a red ribbon. Red is the official color of AIDS efforts worldwide, just like pink is the theme color of Breast Cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment efforts.

Prevent the Spread of HIV on the Individual Level
You can prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS on the individual level by getting tested annually for HIV and other STD's along with your partner. If you're afraid that you might have HIV, please know that by getting tested you'll at least have access to medical care to slow the process of the disease. Because of new and innovative medicines, HIV/AIDS victims are able to have quality lives for years after being infected. It is your responsibility to know if you have HIV/AIDS, and only you can keep yourself from transmitting it to your partner(s).

I hope you find these tips useful for supporting World AIDS Day. Try one or more of these ideas, and you'll have personally brought the world closer to the end of HIV/AIDS- just imagine a world without this disease.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Belle.
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