Friday, November 30, 2012

1 DECEMBER: WORLD AIDS DAY MESSAGE


A World AIDS Day Message from Carolyn Woo, President & CEO of CRS


December 1 is World AIDS Day, a time when we pause to reflect on the ways in which the HIV pandemic has changed our world, when we celebrate the exciting progress made in the fight against HIV, while mourning the multitude of lives it has claimed.
Many challenges remain but this year we have good reason to be optimistic. Last week UNAIDS reported that Africa has cut AIDS-related deaths by one third. And in the last two years the number of people receiving lifesaving antiretroviral medication has increased by more than 60%, to 8 million.  However, there are still 7 million people in need of medicine who can’t get it. And in some parts of the world the epidemic is growing...
This is a key moment in the fight against HIV. With each passing day comes hope that more people will have access to lifesaving medication; that ongoing research will someday lead to a vaccine or cure; that fear, ignorance and stigma will be replaced by love and understanding.  Today, let’s challenge ourselves to think about the important role we can each play in what may be the defining challenge of our age. Someday our grandchildren may ask, “What did you do?” Let’s make sure we have a good answer for them.
Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo
President & CEO
Catholic Relief Services
WELCOME PEOPLE....RELAX...READ ON...