World AIDS Day 2018: Remembering Those We Lost

World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st each year. It's an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Every year on World AIDS Day, We Love Soaps remembers the talented artists from the world of soap operas who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus. Below is an alphabetical list.

World AIDS Day 2017: Remembering Those We Lost

World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK around 6,000 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Every year on World AIDS Day, We Love Soaps remembers the talented artists from the world of soap operas who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus. Below is an alphabetical list.

World AIDS Day 2016: Remembering Those We Lost

World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of the world’s most serious health and development challenges. According to UNAIDS:

* There were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2015. Of these, 1.8 million were children (under 15 years old).
* An estimated 2.1 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2015. This includes 150,000 children (under 15 years). Most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
* Currently only 60% of people with HIV know their status. The remaining 40% (over 14 million people) still need to access HIV testing services.
* As of June 2016, 18.2 million people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally, up from 15.8 million in June 2015, 7.5 million in 2010, and less than one million in 2000.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Every year on World AIDS Day, We Love Soaps remembers the talented artists from the world of soap operas who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus. Below is an alphabetical list.

World AIDS Day 2015: Remembering Those We Lost

World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, held for the first time in 1988.

More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 8 (12.8%) are unaware of their infection. Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus.

Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Every year on World AIDS Day, We Love Soaps remembers the talented artists from the world of soap operas who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus. Below is an alphabetical list.

World AIDS Day 2014: Remembering Those We Lost

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.

More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and globally an estimated 34 million people have HIV. More than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Below is an alphabetical list of the talented artists from the world of soap operas who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus.

Ben Archibek (Neil Curtis, Days of our Lives)
January 6, 1943 – October 21, 1993 (age 50)

Amanda Blake (Julianna Stanhower, The Edge of Night)
February 20, 1929 – August 16, 1989 (age 60)

Bill Beyers (Wally McCandless, Capitol)
March 17, 1955 – May 29, 1992 (age 37)

Christopher Bernau (Philip Todd, Dark Shadows; Alan Spaulding, Guiding Light)
June 2, 1940 – June 14, 1989 (age 49)

Robert Christian (Bob Morgan, Another World; Dr. Colby, All My Children; Lieutenant Frank, Search for Tomorrow)
December 27, 1939 – January 27, 1983 (age 43)

Keith Christopher (Wyatt Sanders, Guiding Light; HIV+ gay man, Another World)
April 27, 1957 – February 23, 1998 (age 40)

World AIDS Day 2013: A Day To Remember

World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

On World AIDS Day, We Love Soaps would like to recognize some of the creative talents from world of soap operas who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus.  If someone is missing from the list, please let us know, and share your memories in our Comments section.

Christopher Bernau (Philip Todd, DARK SHADOWS; Alan Spaulding, GUIDING LIGHT)
June 2, 1940 to June 14, 1989 (age 49)

David Oliver (Perry Hutchins, ANOTHER WORLD; Sam Gardner, A YEAR IN THE LIFE)
January 31, 1962 to November 12, 1992 (age 30)

Dack Rambo (Grant Harrison, ANOTHER WORLD; Jack Ewing, DALLAS; Steve Jacobi, ALL MY CHILDREN; Wesley Harper, PAPER DOLLS; Tim, NEVER TOO YOUNG)
November 13, 1941 to March 21, 1994 (age 52)

World AIDS Day Tribute: Remembering The Many Lost

World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

On World AIDS Day, We Love Soaps would like to recognize some of the creative talents from the soap world who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus.

Christopher Bernau (Philip Todd, DARK SHADOWS; Alan Spaulding, GUIDING LIGHT)
June 2, 1940 to June 14, 1989 (age 49)

David Oliver (Perry Hutchins, ANOTHER WORLD; Sam Gardner, A YEAR IN THE LIFE)
January 31, 1962 to November 12, 1992 (age 30)

Dack Rambo (Grant Harrison, ANOTHER WORLD; Jack Ewing, DALLAS; Steve Jacobi, ALL MY CHILDREN; Wesley Harper, PAPER DOLLS; Tim, NEVER TOO YOUNG)
November 13, 1941 to March 21, 1994 (age 52)



Joel Crothers (Miles Cavanaugh, EDGE OF NIGHT; Jerry Cooper/Jack Lee, SANTA BARBARA; Julian Cannell, SOMERSET; Ken Stevens, THE SECRET STORM; Nathan Forbes, DARK SHADOWS; THE DOCTORS)
January 28, 1941 to November 6, 1985 (age 44)

Howard E. Rollins Jr. (Ed Harding, ANOTHER WORLD, FBI Agent, ALL MY CHILDREN)
October 17, 1950 to December 8, 1996 (age 46)

Bill Beyers (Wally McCandless, CAPITOL)
March 17, 1955 to May 29, 1992 (age 37)



Larry Riley (Calvin Barnes, THE DOCTORS; Frank Williams, KNOTS LANDING)
June 20, 1953 to June 6, 1992 (age 38)

Keith Prentice (Morgan Collins, DARK SHADOWS)
February 21, 1940 to September 27, 1992 (age 52)

Dennis Parker (Derek Mallory, THE EDGE OF NIGHT)
October 28, 1946 to January 28, 1985 (age 38)



Timothy Patrick Murphy (Mickey Trotter, DALLAS; Spencer Langley, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW)
November 3, 1959 to December 6, 1988 (age 29)

Paul Keenan (Todd Chandler, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; Tony Driscoll, DYNASTY)
December 10, 1955 to December 11, 1986 (age 31)

Biff Warren (Mark Lewis, AS THE WORLD TURNS)
December 9, 1955 to September 26, 1993 (age 37)



Samuel D. Ratcliffe (Writer, ANOTHER WORLD, TEXAS, SANTA BARBARA, CAPITOL, LOVING, GUIDING LIGHT, DAYS OF OUR LIVES)
March 30, 1945 to December 14, 1995 (age 50)

Robert Christian (Bob Morgan, ANOTHER WORLD; Dr. Colby, ALL MY CHILDREN; Lieutenant Frank, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW)
December 27, 1939 to January 27, 1983 (age 43)

Irving Allen Lee (Calvin Stoner, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; Evan Cooper, RYAN'S HOPE)
November 21, 1948 to September 5, 1992 (age 43)

Leslie Graves (Brenda Clegg, CAPITOL)
September 29, 1959 to August 23, 1995 (age 35)

Robert Reed (Lloyd Kendall, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; Mike Brady, THE BRADYS)
October 19, 1932 to May 12, 1992 (age 59)

Ben Archibek (Neil Curtis, DAYS OF OUR LIVES)
January 6, 1943 to October 21, 1993 (age 50)

Tom Rolfing (Cliff Tanner, ANOTHER WORLD)
February 1, 1950 to April 24, 1990 (age 40)

Brad Davis (Alexander Kronos, HOW TO SURVIVE A MARRIAGE)
November 6, 1949 to September 8, 1991 (age 41)

Alan L. Hale (Publicity Agent)
1949 to January 22, 1991 (age 41)

Teddy Wilson (Clem, DALLAS)
December 10, 1943 to July 21, 1991 (age 47)

Robert Drivas (Brad Robinson,OUR PRIVATE WORLD; Ernest Cooper in YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE)
November 21, 1938 to June 29, 1986 (age 47)

Rock Hudson (Daniel Reece, DYNASTY)
November 17, 1925 to October 2, 1985 (age 59)

Tom Fuccello (Paul Kendall, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; Mark Elliott, LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING; Dave Culver, DALLAS)
December 11, 1936 to August 16, 1993 (age 56)

Raymond St. Jacques (Arthur Hooks, FALCON CREST)
March 1, 1930 to August 27, 1990 (age 60)

Raul Julia (Miguel Garcia, LOVE OF LIFE)
March 9, 1940 to October 24, 1994 (age 54)

Lee Mathis (Jon Hanley, GENERAL HOSPITAL)
March 10, 1952 to May 1, 1996 (age 44)

Douglas Lambert (Eddie Weeks, GENERAL HOSPITAL)
July 7, 1936 to December 16, 1986 (age 50)

Paul Shenar (Anthony Westfield, PAPER DOLLS; Jason Dehner, DYNASTY)
February 12, 1936 to October 11, 1989 (age 53)

Anthony Holland (Jacques Pierre, RYAN'S HOPE)
March 3, 1928 to July 9, 1988 (age 60)

Greg York (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Costume Designer)
1961 to July 26, 1995 (age 34)

Amanda Blake (Julianna Stanhower, THE EDGE OF NIGHT)
February 20, 1929 to August 16, 1989 (age 60)

Ricky Wilson (The B-52s, GUIDING LIGHT)

Liberace (Guest Star, ANOTHER WORLD)
May 16, 1919 to February 4, 1987 (age 67)

RELATED:
- FLASHBACK: Deidre Hall's Red Ribbon Controversy 1993
- World AIDS Day 2011: And A Look Back At 2010
- FLASHBACK: An AIDS Nursing Home Finds It Is No Longer the Last Stop (Joseph Breen 1997)

FLASHBACK: Former 'Dynasty' Actor Paul Keenan Suffering From AIDS (1986)

AIDS patient Paul Keenan is assisted by volunteer Lorna Kelly at St.
Clare's Hospital

Former Dynasty Actor Paul Keenan Suffering From AIDS

Associated Press
July 12, 1986

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Although the admission he has AIDS probably means he won't work in Hollywood again, former Dynasty actor Paul Francis Keenan says his first priority is fighting the deadly disease.

"I believe my focus is to be healed from this disease and to live; whatever else happens after that, happens," said Keenan, who is speaking out to help victims of AIDS, which also afflicted fellow Dynasty actor Rock Hudson, who died Oct. 2.

Keenan, 30, learned he had acquired immune deficiency syndrome about seven weeks ago.

"When you have AIDS, you really have to face the fact that this could be a fatal disease," he said in an interview from New York, where he was recently admitted to St. Clare's Hospital and Health Centre. "You're dealing with things that are more important than the narcissistic Hollywood type of life."

FLASHBACK: Deidre Hall's Red Ribbon Controversy

Back in the early 1980s, very few entertainers would publicly acknowledge AIDS as a global health crisis. When Rock Hudson courageously came out as HIV positive in 1985, an inspiring new bravery was demonstrated by Elizabeth Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, and several other public figures who jeopardized their careers and reputations advocating for compassionate treatment of people with AIDS.

However, by the early 1990s, celebrity declarations of support were frequently reduced to superficial and meaningless gestures. It became trendy and expected to see a celebrity donning a red ribbon at an award ceremony. A very small group of AIDS activists challenged this norm, citing the red ribbon as a symbol of shallow compassion and hollow activism. Deidre Hall was one of the few public figures at that time to denounce this practice, and stand up for real changes that would improve the lives of people with HIV.

When she refused to wear a red ribbon at the 1993 Daytime Emmy Awards, a hailstorm of controversy and criticism followed.  She responded by declaring this personal statement in Soap Opera Digest defending her decisions.  Here is her exact quote from the June 8, 1993, issue of SOD:

World AIDS Day Tribute: Howard E. Rollins, Timothy Patrick Murphy, Biff Warren, Paul Keenan, Larry Riley, Robert Reed, Rock Hudson, Brad Davis, Alan L. Hale, Teddy Wilson, Tom Fuccello, Raymond St. Jacques, Lee Mathis

As this year's World AIDS Day comes to a close we want to recognize some of the other creative talents from the soap world who lost their lives due to complications from the AIDS virus.

Check out our World AIDS Day features and tributes from earlier today here.

Howard E. Rollins Jr. (Ed Harding, ANOTHER WORLD, FBI Agent, ALL MY CHILDREN)
October 17, 1950 to December 8, 1996 (age 46)

Timothy Patrick Murphy (Mickey Trotter, DALLAS; Spencer Langley, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW)
November 3, 1959 to December 6, 1988 (age 29)

Biff Warren (Mark Lewis, AS THE WORLD TURNS)
December 9, 1955 to September 26, 1993 (age 37)

South African Soap Actress Lesego Motsepe Reveals She's Been Living With HIV On World Aids Day

Lesego Motsepe, star of popular South African soap opera ISIDINGO has chosen World Aids Day to reveal that she has been living with the Hi-virus for almost 13 years.

ISIDINGO is a South African drama series which is also aired on the Africa Channel in the US and on SKY Africa Channel 268 in the UK.

The soap sets out to reflect South Africa's diverse people their struggles, their debates, their concerns, their fears, their reasons to celebrate - back at themselves.

World AIDS Day Tribute: Dack Rambo (1955-1992) -- 'Another World,' 'Dallas,' 'All My Children,' 'Paper Dolls,' 'Never Too Young'

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Dack Rambo (who was born Norman Jay Rambo) was born in Delano, Calif., on November 13, 1941. He died of complications from AIDS on March 21, 1994 in his home town at age 52.

Dack appeared in number of primetime television shows over the years from Gunsmoke to The Guns of Will Sonnett. He also appeared in nighttime soaps with roles as Wesley Harper on Paper Dolls and Jack Ewing on Dallas.

World AIDS Day Tribute: Christopher Bernau (1940-1989) -- 'Dark Shadows,' 'Guiding Light'

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Christopher Bernau was born in Santa Barbara on June 2, 1940. He died of a heart attack brought on by complications from AIDS on June 14, 1989 in New York City at age 49.

Bernau grew up in Santa Barbara, the only child of a physiotherapist. After some high school plays, he earned a drama degree at UC Santa Barbara.

His big break came with a role in New York Shakespeare Festival's production of "Antony and Cleopatra" in 1962. He continued in that role until 1964, when he toured nationally in the production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Bernau was a consummate stage actor whose Broadway work included "The Boys in the Band."

His first soap role was as Philip Todd on Dark Shadows in 1969. Philip and his wife, Megan (Marie Wallace) owned a spooky antique shop in Collinsport and served as foster parents to the Leviathan child who grew up to be Jeb Hawkes. Chris left the show in 1970.

World AIDS Day Tribute: Samuel D. Ratcliffe (1945-1995) -- ANOTHER WORLD, TEXAS, SANTA BARBARA, CAPITOL, LOVING, GUIDING LIGHT, DAYS

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors and crew from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Emmy winning soap writer Samuel D. Ratcliffe was born in Florida on March 30, 1945, and died on April 15, 1996 in New York City at age 50 due to complications from AIDS.

A native of Winter Haven, Fla., Ratcliffe grew up in Birmingham, Ala., and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College, where he majored in music and in German. After moving to New York City, he pursued a career in the theater. One of his roles was Matt in "The Fantasticks." He also starred in the Broadway musical, "Hurry Harry."

World AIDS Day Tribute: Bill Beyers (1955-1992) & Leslie Graves (1959-1995) -- 'Capitol'

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Bill Beyers was born on Long Island on March 17, 1955. He died of complications due to AIDS on May 29, 1992 in Los Angeles at age 37.

Beyers burst onto the soap scene in 1982 on brand new CBS soap Capitol. He played Wally McCandless, who had an an affinity for gambling. His addiction often got him into trouble: either the physical kind (from grumpy loan sharks) or the emotional kind (from grumpy girlfriends).

Wally's life was further complicated by the attentions of Brenda Clegg (originally played by actress Leslie Graves), who spent three years trying to snare him, only to jilt him for another guy.

World AIDS Day Tribute: Joel Crothers (1941-1985), Dennis Parker (1946-1984), Irving Allen Lee (1948-1992) -- EDGE OF NIGHT, DARK SHADOWS, SOMERSET, RYAN'S HOPE

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Joel Crothers was born in Concord, Calif. on January 28, 1941. He died of complications due to AIDS on November 6, 1985 in New York City at age 44.

Crothers first developed an interest in acting at the age of 9. By the age of 12 he was appearing on Broadway in "The Remarkable Mr. Penny Packer" opposite Burgess Meredith.

Crothers took on many television roles throughout the 1950s and 60s while also managing to graduate Phi Betta Kappa from Harvard in 1962. He returned to Broadway opposite Joan Van Ark in "Barefoot in the Park" in 1966, at the same time taking on the role of fisherman Joe Haskell on the new ABC soap opera DARK SHADOWS.

FLASHBACK: An AIDS Nursing Home Finds It Is No Longer the Last Stop (Joseph Breen 1997)

An AIDS Nursing Home Finds It Is No Longer the Last Stop

By Lynda Richardson
The New York Times
January 25, 1997

While new drugs have made many patients stronger, officials at Rivington House and elsewhere see danger in the growing sense of optimism among those who have concluded that the disease is soon to be beaten.

"I don't think we've turned the corner," said Linda A. Domizio, director of professional services at Rivington House. "I think it's too premature to make any projections about what's going to happen in the future. It's a very difficult regimen to adhere to. And we don't know what the long-term effects are going to be."

World AIDS Day Tribute: David Oliver (1962–1992) -- 'Another World,' 'A Year in the Life'

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

David Oliver was born in Concord, California on January 31, 1962.  He was one of 8 children.  He died of complications due to AIDS on November 12, 1992 in Los Angeles at age 30.

Another World fans fell in love with the handsome young actor when he debuted as Perry Hutchins in June 1983.

Perry was Carl's son and had a sweet romance with Nancy (Jane Cameron). Perry died in May 1985 when he fell from the Love barn loft after seeing Marley's identical twin, Victoria (Ellen Wheeler). His final words were "You're not getting away with this!"

On August 3, 1983, Donna Love (Anna Stuart) arrived at the double wedding of Blaine & Sandy and Mac & Rachel with the handsome Perry on her arm.



In 1983, Oliver appeared on the game show Go with Another World co-stars Anna Stuart, Mary Page Keller, Laura Malone, and Stephen Yates.



After Another World, Oliver played Sam Gardner in the NBC primetime soap A Year in the Life. Sam was married to Kay, played by Sarah Jessica Parker.

World AIDS Day Tribute: Robert Christian (1939–1983) -- 'Another World,' 'All My Children,' 'Search for Tomorrow'

On World AIDS Day we pay tribute to some of the actors from the soap opera community who lost their lives to the disease.

Robert Christian (also known as Bob and Bobby) was born in Los Angeles on December 27, 1939. He died of AIDS-related complications on January 27, 1983 in New York City at age 43.

Christian had roles on All My Children and Search for Tomorrow, but his biggest soap role was as Bob Morgan on Another World. He played Bob from January to December in 1982. Bob was married to Henrietta but fell in love with Quinn. He died of a gunshot wound at the video arcade.

Christian last aired a month before he passed away.

World AIDS Day 2011: And A Look Back At 2010

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV is dedicating today to the actors who have lost their lives over the years to the disease. Check back throughout the day as we add new tributes.

Last year, we reflected on the early AIDS storylines on daytime soap operas. Here's a roundup of features from 2010:
- FLASHBACK: How TV Portrays AIDS 1988
- FLASHBACK: Strong Dose of Reality for ABC's ONE LIFE TO LIVE 1992
- Remembering Dawn Rollo: Daytime's First AIDS Victim
- CLASSIC CLIPS: AIDS Comes To Daytime
- WLS World AIDS Day With Michael Sutton - Part One
- WLS World AIDS Day With Michael Sutton - Part Two
- WLS World AIDS Day With Soap Writer Thom Racina
- WLS World AIDS Day With Former Soap Producer Wendy Riche
- WLS World AIDS Day With Soap Writer Claire Labine
- WLS World AIDS Day With Kristen Alderson
- WLS World AIDS Day With Anthony Geary
- WLS World AIDS Day With Ilene Kristen

Why is World AIDS Day important?

Globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.