AIDS Eradication is a Failure but Let’s Not Give Up
Today is world AIDS day. For sixteen years we have been marking this day as a day to remember the impact this tragic disease has had on so many lives. Even though some progress has been made through antiretroviral treatments, AIDS is still an incurable disease which continues to claim millions of lives.
The numbers are simply astounding:
- A child dies of AIDS every minute
- 25 million people have died from this disease
- 3 million people died last year alone, and more than half a million were children
- 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS
- 40 million people are living with AIDS today
Seane Corn, the YouthAIDS National Yoga Ambassador paints a bleak picture: "There is no vaccine and there is no cure and the life-extending drugs that are available are far out of reach for most of the 40 million people who currently live with HIV."
The people impacted by AIDS the most are the ones that are the least prepared to deal with it. In many parts of Africa, in addition to poverty and famine, this disease is having a devastating effect. Progress towards finding a cure has been disappointing. Efforts towards helping those in need have been less than adequate. All of us human beings are failing on this front.
But let’s not get discouraged. As with any other worthwhile pursuit, success requires persistence. Success requires learning from our past failures and looking for new paths to a solution. Today, let’s be aware that we have not succeeded, but let’s not dwell on our failures. Instead, let’s make this a higher priority in each of our lives. Be aware. Get involved. Help where you can.
Posted: 1 December, 2006 under category Social Responsibility.
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