Every year we recognize World AIDS day on December 1. It’s a day to spread awareness of HIV/AIDS, and to recognize those who have passed away. How much do you know about HIV/AIDS? Here are some facts from the National AIDS Trust (NAT).
- HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV attacks the body’s immune system – the body’s defense against diseases.
- AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person is considered to have AIDS when the immune system has become so weak that it can no longer fight off a whole range of diseases with which it would normally cope. Because of effective treatments, most people living with HIV will not go on to develop AIDS.
- There are over 36 million people living with HIV worldwide. One reason why this figure is increasing is because more people are accessing life-saving HIV medication, which means more and more people are living longer and healthier lives.
- However, in some of the worst affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa, rates of HIV infection are still as high as 1 in 3.
- HIV is passed on from one person to another via body fluids. HIV is not passed on by hugging, kissing, sharing a swimming pool, sharing a toilet seat, or sharing a drink.
Yesterday, volunteers from M.A.C. Cosmetics came to EAC Network’s administrative office to help out with the Nutrition Education & Food Services program (NEFS). NEFS improves the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS with nutrition education and healthy food. For many years, volunteers from M.A.C. have come to our office to organize food donations, pack bags for our clients, and decorate to bring the clients holiday cheer. Recently, The M.A.C. AIDS Fund honored EAC Network with a $10,000 grant. Read more about that here.
“Working with EAC Network has been inspiring to us,” said Jeanine Vespucci, a representative from M.A.C.
Check out photos of the volunteers below!
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Sarah Muller is the Development & Marketing Assistant for EAC Network. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in English.
