Are you ready for December 1?
World AIDS Day is fast approaching and we have some great things on this year. In 1988, World AIDS Day was declared by the World Health Organisation to be December 1. It was set aside as a day to remember those who have passed as a result of HIV, raise funds to support People Living With HIV and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
In Victoria, this year our theme is Getting to Zero. This means aiming for: zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
There is a range of ways you can get involved and help raise awareness or commemorate this important day.
Memorial Service
Every year, VAC/GMHC is involved in the coordination of a memorial service where we remember those we have lost as a result of HIV/AIDS. This is held at the Positive Living Centre, and will take place at 2pm on Saturday, December 1.
Street Appeal
We also have our annual street appeal where we flood the streets of Melbourne with Red Ribbons. This year we aim to distribute 50,000 Red Ribbons for free, and to do this we need you. We rely on volunteers like you to make this a success, so if you have a spare couple of hours on the December 1, please lend us a hand. To enquire, email [email protected]
If you want to know where to pick up your ribbons, you can find the locations listed on our website www.vicaids.asn.au/
Get Your Dinner Table Laid
This year we are trying something a bit different by asking you to host a Red Dinner. What is that you ask? Well we want you to gather a bunch of your nearest and dearest and host a RED themed dinner party. We’ve plated up delicious recipes on our Facebook page to help you find the right red-themed foods to go with a glass of red.
Register at www.vicaids.asn.au/dinner for one of our Red Dinner Fundraiser packs, containing information, posters and a recipe book with even more culinary delights. If you get in early, you’ll even score one of our limited edition packs.
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Even if you can’t take part in any of the events, you can still help do your part through social media. We are on Facebook and we want you to share with us your stories about World AIDS Day, whether you have volunteered in the past, are keen to volunteer this year or just want to share your Red Dinner preparations with us. We’d love to hear about it, so jump onto www.facebook.com/WADVictoria
INFO: www.vicaids.asn.au or email [email protected]
By Ilan Werbeloff
