Tuesday, December 01, 2009

December 1, a Day of Red

Today is World AIDS Day in honor of all those affected by the disease. To show support, millions of people are joining together to lift up those living with AIDS, and to remember those who have passed on.

One way people are participating in World AIDS Day is via the internet by turning Facebook and Twitter red. People are asking Twitterers to tag their posts "#red," and by making your profile picture red on Facebook.

Also, many are using the day as an opportunity to raise money for AIDS awareness and research across the globe. At Starbucks, 5 cents in the U.S. and Canada will help fight AIDS in Africa. Participating GAP stores are donating 1% of all revenue to the AIDS cause.

The Dell company is also pitching in to help, doubling its contributions on DELL (PRODUCT) RED items in the U.S., UK and Japan until December 2.

About AIDS

  • 33 million people in the world have HIV. 22 million live in Africa.
  • It costs around 40cents a day for the 2 pills that are needed to help keep someone living with HIV alive. Yet, more than 70% of the people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $2 a day.
  • To date $140 million has been sent to Africa through (RED) partners and events, which has supported programs that have helped reach 4 million people.

0 comments: