As the semester winds to a close, many of us may have a few numbers on our mind.
The number of days until we can put away the books until the spring semester.
The number of hours spent in the library or some other study location.
The number of family and friends we might get to see over the holiday break.
I for one, though, am thinking about the number 33.3 million. According to USAID, that’s the number of people that were living with HIV around the world in 2009.
While that number is far too high, it’s certainly not insurmountable. This Thursday, December 1st, marks World AIDS Day thirty years after the epidemic began. On this day, we remember all those affected by HIV/AIDS both past and present, as so much more than numbers.
On this day, we also envision a future where the number we hear is zero. Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. Zero HIV-related deaths anywhere in the world.
On this day, take a moment to think about how you can help us get to zero. On December 1st there will be a variety of events around campus, including free rapid HIV testing hosted by Campus Health, SHAC, and GlobeMed.
Every day, you can get tested for free at Campus Health. It’s free and confidential, and you can get tested for other STDs while you’re there. You can also keep yourself informed through UNC resources such as the Center for AIDS Research or join a student organization like Student Advocates for Sexual Health (sexperts@unc.edu) or GlobeMed.
How will you help us get to zero?
Events around campus on December 1, 2011:
FREE Walk-In Rapid HIV testing
UNC Student Union Room 3206 B
11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Red Tie Affair
MHRC Atrium – School of Public Health
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Tickets $5 at the door
UNC Healthy Heels 