World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day, an internationally-observed day that is set aside to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS around the world. Though I do understand that there are a plethora of other social causes out there, that it is grossly fashionable to “support” any cause these days, and that as an evangelical Christian, this is not the Ultimate Cause, this is one that I deeply care about, and perhaps you should too. Even prior to my previous job at a local church-based HIV/AIDS initiative, I learned that I have a good number of friends that are HIV-positive and/or have AIDS. What’s most alarming is not the fact that I have a good number of friends that are, but that you probably do too–I just happen to be aware of who around me is (for the most part). I have known some of these friends for years before they disclosed their HIV status to me. Many of their other friends, fellow church members, co-workers and even some family remain unaware of their HIV status. The unduly negative stigmas attached to HIV and the embarrassing lack of public education regarding the disease contribute greatly to its eminent spread here in Orange County, and in every pocket of the world. Its victims are mothers, brothers, sisters, brothers, babies, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Stopping this begins by learning some elementary truths about HIV.

A few reasons to care and be aware:

1. Fight Apathy. Again, I understand that we are not lacking options when it comes to causes of social justice these days. Africa. Fresh water wells. Malaria. Typhoons. Hurricanes. Poverty… & the list goes on. Yes, there are a lot. I get that. But the length of that list does not justify overlooking the length of reasons we should be aware about one of the longest-running and fastest-growing public health crises.
2. 10,000: the estimated amount of people in Orange County that are HIV positive. About 3000 have full blown AIDS, according to the AIDS Services Foundation. The majority of these individuals are ages 18-24.This is not just an “out there” problem. The pandemic is local.
3. 33 million. That is how many people are affected with HIV worldwide. That’s a staggering number. The numbers will ring even more staggering once you know what this virus does in effect.
4. Deadly. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus basically destroys the immune system (sometimes slowly, sometimes fast) leaving you open to major infections from bacterias and viruses that the uninfected person’s immune system would normally fight off. This makes the daily bacteria we are always in contact with deadly. This process can take up to 10-15 years after infection before it ever begins, leaving many seemingly healthy, yet totally infected, persons as active carriers of the virus. It gets spread without anyone knowing.
5. Incurable. Nope, Magic Johnson did not get cured of HIV/AIDS. There is no known successful cure or vaccine available today, and because the virus is constantly changing and creating new strands, medical experts doubt they will ever have one that will effectively eliminate the disease.
6. Yet, it’s treatable. There is medication available today that inhibits the virus’ ability to reproduce and affect other living cells in the body. When detected early, a person with HIV can live a long and fairly normal life if the proper medication is prescribed.
7. Yet, it’s preventable. Since it is a behaviorally-transmitted disease (sex and direct blood-blood contact, NOT skin-to-skin), it is completely preventable.
8. Stigma and myths. There are a number of myths and misunderstandings that contribute to the stigma-cloud that hovers around HIV/AIDS. For example, you cannot get HIV through food, air, sneezing or any casual contact. Also, 75% of the sexually-transmitted cases in the US are from heterosexual activity. That rate is even higher outside the US. These stigma-leading myths contribute to why such a preventable disease is still rising greatly in the rate that it’s claiming lives.
9. Widows and orphans. Millions of widows have also been left behind in the wake of this pandemic’s storm. Also, in Africa alone, 15 million children are left orphaned because they lost their parents to AIDS. Yeah. Let me say that again. 15 million. That means 15 million children without a roof or a job, left to fight for survival and raise each other. Tell me that doesn’t break your heart. I can let you know what it’s like to hold a two-month old baby in the middle of Africa, who just lost his parents to AIDS. These are woman and young children with names and faces.
10. The gospel. For those of us who bear the name of Christ, let’s remember: that we are called to never give up in our doing good (Gal 6:9-10); that the point of Jesus’ parable of the good samaritan was so that we would consider “who is our neighbor?”(Luke 10:36-37); that we are to speak up for those without a voice (Prov 31:8), the orphans and the widows (James 1:27); and finally, let us remember Jesus. He wasn’t just about ‘sickness to health’; he was about ‘death to life’ (Eph 2:1-2). Jesus suffered the greatest for us (1 Peter 3:18) to remedy the single, oldest and most devastating disease that has plagued the human race: sin (Rom 3:23). And in him, we possess his gospel message of truest life and eternal joy (Eph 2:5)–a message to be lived, shared and proclaimed.

Let that be our motivation in all the good that we do… today, tomorrow and the day after that.

So pray for the affected. Get tested, if you haven’t already. Care. If anything, now you know about it. And knowing is half the battle.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
-Micah 6:8

Get tested: hivtest.org

Sources:
Center of Disease Control, UNAIDS, AIDS Services Foundation of OC, World Health Organization, HIVandtheChurch