10th Annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

May 18, 2007 marks the 10th annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. This day recognizes and thanks volunteers, health providers, and scientists for providing their efforts in hope to find a safe and effective vaccine for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Today 40 million people are currently living with the HIV/AIDS infection and every day 11,000 people become newly infected. Last year in the United States alone 40,000 people became newly infected with HIV. Scientists believe that with the creation of an effective HIV vaccine, numerous possible outcomes may occur. These possible outcomes include:

• Preventing infection in many people
  
  
• Preparing a person’s immune system to block infection and eliminate the virus
  
  
• Delaying or preventing the onset of AIDS

A Call for Help

Developing a vaccine requires the support of communities, government, researchers, non-governmental organizations, volunteers, and individuals. We urge you to show your support for HIV Vaccine research.

Raising awareness and support for the study is essential in eliminating stigmas about HIV research. Here is how you can get involved:

• Wear a Red AIDS Ribbon in support - V for Vaccines and Victory!

• Let others know that you support HIV vaccine research
  
  
• Educate others about the need for an HIV vaccine
  
  
• Support vaccine trial volunteers and/or become a volunteer yourself
  
  

Individuals and communities who support vaccine research will take scientists one step closer in the successful development of HIV vaccines.

For more information on becoming a Vaccine Trial Volunteer, please visit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at www.niaid.nih.gov/daids/vaccine/


Aneesa Lala
Secretary
The Anokhi Foundation

World AIDS Orphans Day 2007 - Raise Your Voice

By 2010 there will be 100 million AIDS orphans..

Worlds AIDS Orphans' Day began in 2002 to help focus attention on the many children who have been affected by this pandemic. After losing not one but both parents to HIV & AIDS, they are shunned by communities and are at great risk for malnutrition and illness. Today you can help shed light on their struggle and unite efforts to give them the help and attention they deserve.

A few minutes of your day can assist orphans in obtaining access to education and healthcare. World AIDS Orphans' Day 2007 focuses on helping these children reach a better standard of living by empowering them for a better future. Your voice will help elected officials understand that we must mobilize efforts to take urgent action in aiding these children.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Click here for a great example of a help campaign for a united effort to help stop the rising numbers of AIDS orphans.
• Invite a local expert on AIDS.
• Raise your awareness about the conditions of at risk children around the world!
  
• Encourage political and economic mobilization, with ONE signature. Ask friends and family to sign as well!
• Write to your school or local newspaper.
• Show a film - A discussion after can help promote awareness and help everyone gain insight.

All it takes is a few clicks and you can help the lives of so many children! Imagine what a few moments of your time can give children who have lost so much. Today is your chance to give them a voice.

Amena Waseem
Vice President
The Anokhi Foundation