It was five years ago when a ten year old boy's heart broke when he learned of the countless children that were orphaned from parents who had the AIDS virus.  He imagined himself without his parents and started a charity known as 'Hoops of Hope'.  On World Aids Day, in 2004, Austin Gutwein of Mesa, Az got family and friends to sponsor him.  He shot 2,057 free throws and earned $3000.00 to help those orphans.  Since then, he and other participants of 'Hoops for Hope' non profit organization have earned $1.6 million.

This Friday, the Central Christian Church (933 Lindsay Rd in Mesa 8am to 2pm) will host one of over 45 other 'Hoops of Hope' marathons across the world.  You can sign up to join an organized event or organize your own event by visiting this site.  Individuals can sign up for a 500 to 1,000 free throw marathon or teams can pledge 6,000 free throws.  Money is raised by individuals that sponsor the shooters and the money raised will go to help build facilities or services for AIDs orphans in Africa.

On a day like today we think about the victims of AIDs, we do our best to spread the awareness around the world, and we celebrate the successes we have seen in overcoming this 'World Disease'.  A disease that has infected over 33.4 million people worldwide, created over 14 million orphans in Africa, and killed over 25 million people worldwide since 1981.  (statistics pulled from Avert.org).

As we celebrate medical advances that we have seen in the fight against AIDS; lets also celebrate the champions that fight the disease in their own way.  This 15 year old boy has made an impact not only in his own corner of the world but globally.  He has proven that it doesn't matter if you are old or young, you can make a difference if you are motivated.  Thankfully he is not alone in this fight.  The slideshow below shows others across the world that, especially on this day, are fighting the good fight in their own way.  It is a beautiful thinkg when the world puts their focus on something and has drive to make a change.  This charity is a wonderful example of goodness in the world.   It is a beautiful story that deserves national attention and support.  On this World Aids Day lets give thanks to our heroes no matter what age they are. 

AIDs has impacted the world, check out pictures from across the world in the slide show below.

Please feel free to leave a comment below.  Spread the word about this amazing organization by tweeting this page, emailing it to friends and sharing it in your social networking sites.  The more word gets out the more chance we have in increasing involvement this year and next.

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Here are some other important topics for you to enjoy:

AIDS Awareness
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
LGBT posts

Have a story idea or a question about relationships?  Feel free to email me.

Other Resources:

Hoops of Hope organization 
Avert.org