AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981, with an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide currently living with HIV. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claims millions of lives each year, thousands of which are children. All these sad facts make AIDS one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.
First conceived in 1987 by the World Health Organization (WHO), World AIDS Day (WAD) is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Many organizations. Governments, and people use WAD to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day, pay tribute to those living with the disease, and to create an official forum to discuss AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day, with many other governments following suit.
Dining Out For Life was created to help battle this pandemic, so WAD is a day that holds a special place in all of our hearts. Even after so many years, the battle to stop HIV/AIDS is nowhere near finished. Here are the facts:
• Every 9.5 minutes, someone is infected with HIV/AIDS in the U.S.
• Every 15 minutes, someone dies from HIV/AIDS complications in the U.S.
• HIV/AIDS is now the No. 1 cause of death among women between the ages of 18 and 44, according to the World Health Organization
With your support, Dining Out For Life can continue to be an enormously successful international fundraiser. We are just a small part in the battle against this horrifying disease. Please use today to reflect, remember and most certainly respond! Do not sit on the sidelines, join the fight!
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