World AIDS Day 2009 Events

World AIDS Day 2009 is awknowledged on December 1st throughout the world.

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. 

World AIDS Day has become a time to reflect on the obstacles we face in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  UNAIDS estimates that 32.9 million people were living with HIV/AIDS worldwide as of the end of 2007, up from 29.5 million in 2001. Although huge strides have been made over the past two decades, we are, in many respects, continuing to lose ground as new infections outpace our ability to deliver treatment. Despite nearly a quarter of a century of treatment and research, nearly two million die from AIDS every year.

The pandemic only gains momentum: nearly three million new cases of the disease occurred this year, and only a small percentage of these patients will receive treatment before they die. In June 2008, a joint WHO/UNAIDS report showed that nearly three million people were receiving anti-retroviral drugs in the developing world, less than a third of the 9.7 million people who needed them at that time. That's a polite way of saying that 6.7 million were dying for lack of drugs.

History of World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'.   World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done. 

World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by San Francisco KPIX-TV reporter, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.   Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann approved with the concept, then and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be 1 December, 1988.  

Right now, there is no vaccine to prevent HIV infection. But scientists are working to find one. To succeed, they will need people from all walks of life to support HIV vaccine studies and encourage those who volunteer.  Learn more about how you can make a difference.  

World AIDS Day Events Around San Francisco:

*  The National AIDS Memorial Grove offers its Sixteenth Annual Observance at the National AIDS Memorial, Golden Gate Park, “Renewing Our Commitment.” The Grove is located at the intersection of Bowling Green and Middle Drive East. The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with program at noon. There will be presentations of National Leadership Recognition Award to Stephen F. Morin, PhD Director, Center for AIDS Policy Research, AIDS Policy Research Center, UCSF; and Local Unsung Hero Award to Bishop Yvette Flunder, Executive Director, Ark of Refuge, Inc.  Entertainment will be provided by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble. Bringing friends is encouraged. The observance and light lunch that follows are free and open to the public. The tent will be heated, but please dress appropriately for the weather.

*  Join Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center for World AIDS Day, 12-2 p.m.,730 Polk Street, 4th Floor. There will be a panel discussion on “Right to Access: Emerging Challenges for Emerging Populations.” Lunch will be provided, as will free, confidential and anonymous Rapid HIV and Hep B testing at the Wellness Center.

*  Out of the Closet will be offering Free HIV testing at Bay Area Out of the Closet thrift stores.

*  “AIDS around the World: A World AIDS Day Special” is at Commonwealth Club of California, 5:30 p.m. networking reception, 6 p.m. program in Gold Room, with Jose M. Zuniga, President/CEO, International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC). Educate yourself and help advance the global commitment in the battle against AIDS. Come learn the latest developments and advancements in AIDS care from around the world as Zuniga discusses the work of IAPAC in Africa, South America, North America, and Europe. Find out why this fight involves you and your human rights.

*  “More Than Words: Poetry, Prose, and Plays Fight AIDS” is in Eureka Valley Recreation Center auditorium on Collingwood Street at 18th from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

*  GuyWriters is the only gay men’s writing group in San Francisco. This night will feature members of GuyWriters reading original works on the topic of HIV/AIDS. Best-selling author Kemble Scott will be the night’s special guest. Donations will be collected at the door with all proceeds going to STOP AIDS Project.

*  “Life Before the Lifeboat: San Francisco’s Courageous Response to the AIDS Outbreak” is a documentary featuring leading AIDS expert Dr. Paul Volberding, which will be screened for free at San Francisco General Hospital’s (SFGH) Carr Auditorium. The film, beginning at 2 p.m. will continue each hour on the hour with the final showing at 5 p.m, features intimate conversations between Volberding and some of San Francisco’s courageous leaders from the earliest days of the AIDS epidemic. It highlights how political and gay activists, along with SFGH, came together to navigate the early years of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. SFGH served as the nexus for AIDS treatment in the beginning where Volberding and others developed what became known as the “San Francisco model” for AIDS treatment.    

*  Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ “Cocktails for a Cure” party is at the Harbor Court Hotel, 165 Steuart Street, 6 to 8 p.m. The party benefits Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF), a nonprofit organization established to raise funds for AIDS service provider agencies through the production of quality entertainment events. Born from the grassroots efforts of two mothers, Barbara Richmond and the late Peggy Ermet, who lost their only sons to AIDS as a way to honor their sons’ memories and to help alleviate the suffering of many of the other sons and daughters living with HIV and AIDS, the Foundation has become one of the leading sources of funding for many local AIDS service providers. A $5 donation at the door includes one drink ticket. Come show your support, raise funds for a good cause and celebrate the season.

*  If you want to travel across the bridge, a portion of the world-famous Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at the Town Center Mall, in Corte Madera, 100 Corte Madera Town Center, Space 303. Marin County has a unique opportunity to witness this powerful visual reminder of the AIDS pandemic, beginning at 2 until 7 p.m. The event will include a talk at 5:30 p.m. from Brother Karekin, a member of Recycled AIDS Medicine Program (RAMP). He will provide a multimedia presentation about the clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe and the impact that funneling unused aids medicines to Africa can have on a local population. The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt is made up of more than 46,000 panels with each individual 3-by-6-foot panel sewn by friends, lovers, and family members to commemorate the life of someone who has died of AIDS. The Quilt weighs over 54 tons and is the largest ongoing community arts project in the world. Millions of people worldwide have visited the Quilt at thousands of displays.

U.S. World AIDS Day Event Listings

    * FACE AIDS: Student World AIDS Day Events
      Events to raise awareness of HIV are being held at campuses across the country.

    * Next Aid: World AIDS Day Events
      Join a dance party in Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, Denver, Omaha, Phoenix, San Francisco, Syracuse and Washington D.C. to raise money for African children orphaned by AIDS.

    * LIFEbeat's Annual Bid2BeatAIDS eBay Auction (begins Dec. 1)
      This huge annual entertainment memorabilia auction kicks off at noon Eastern Time on Dec. 1. Proceeds go to LIFEbeat -- The Music Industry Fights AIDS. The first four Bid2BeatAIDS auctions raised over $300,000. More than 600 items have already been received for this year's auction -- and new signed celebrity items are coming in every day!

    * World AIDS Day Bike Ride (Nov. 29, 2009)
      Join us in your hometown for a short 29-mile ride on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 8 a.m. as cyclists from all over the world ride in unity to fight for a cure to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Worldwide AIDS Day Events

    * The World AIDS Campaign's Listing of Events Around the World
      Find events in over 20 countries, including the United States.

keywords:  AIDS awareness day, national aids month, aids awareness day, black aids day