How many of you knew that today was World AIDS Day? I confess that if I didn’t get One Campaign emails or stay up to date with Compassion, I would not have known that today was World AIDS Day. I haven’t heard anyone I know talking about it and I haven’t driven past any billboards declaring it. I think it could quite possibly go completely unnoticed for most people in the U.S., including myself. If it’s not happening on our block or it’s not directly affecting me or my family, we can just go on about our day as if it doesn’t exist. If it bears no direct threat to myself, I can so easily look the other way. Even while people are losing their lives. I questioned if this was worth posting today until I read this on Compassion’s website.
“Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS.”
I have a special place in my heart for orphans. My husband and his two sisters were orphaned 4 years ago when they lost both of their parents in a car accident. My sister-in-law Leska was only 14 years old and I have personally seen the affects that children go through when they lose both of their parents. When a child’s entire security is found in their parents and then that security is ripped away, pain and fear come like a flood. I don’t wish this on my dear sister and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone else in this world. In my sister’s case, it was an accident and completely unpreventable. But in the situations where children are being orphaned by AIDS, it is preventable. You and I can make a difference. I know it seems impossible or too large for us to make any difference. But be faithful to do what you can and let God use it in mighty ways.
One of the easiest and fastest things you can do to help is share this post. Share it on your Facebook, email it to friends, or talk about it on your own blog. And then leave me a comment below and answer this question, “Did you know that today was World AIDS Day?” We are going to make a donation to Compassion’s AIDS Initiative fund based on the feedback we get from you. If we get 30 comments, we will donate $50 bucks. If we get 40 comments, we will donate $60 bucks. If we get 50 comments, we will donate $70 bucks. You determine how much we give. One comment per person. Comments must be in by 11:59pm PST today. Will you spread the love today?
31 Comments so far
Hi! I’m commenting so you’ll donate! =) I knew it was World AIDS Day, but that’s mainly because I worked for World Vision for years, and I just know that December 1st is World AIDS Day. But, I’m pleased to see that lots of my friends on Facebook are talking about it too (ok, lots of my friends were/are World Vision employees too, so maybe it’s not an accurate sample). But, at least you and one other non-WV person posted something, so that’s a good sign.
Here’s my favorite interesting fact. If we dealt with childhood malnutrition (which is easy and relatively inexpensive to do!), we could drastically stop the spread of AIDS. Amazing right? When kids are malnourished and have stunted growth (which about 40% of kids do, in many African communities), their immune systems are weaker, and they are much more likely to spread or contract HIV. If the are well nourished, they will be less likely to spread or contract the virus. Interesting, right?
hi! i love your great big hearts!
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” (James 1:27)
Thanks, C&V, for calling attention to this worthy cause!
I love how you guys are so sensitive to such a broad range of issues. Both spiritual and “worldly”.
I knew today was World AIDS Day because, as a Starbucks Gold Member, they sent an email notifying me. For each drink you buy at Starbucks today, they donate 5 cents to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
Also, my browser homepage is Google; and they had a notice on the page about today being World Aids Day.
Good job at keeping everyone up to speed, and adding more heart to the situation!
I knew about this from the Compassion Blog, but I’m overwhelmed at the constant information of all these injustices, so thank you for reminding me that awareness is a good and easy step we can take to help the cause. You rock!
I was completely unaware…thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I had no idea it is World Aids Day nor have I seen it on any public forum. Good luck today. I hope you get 100 posts!! I’ll spread the word.
Sorry for the delay in commenting (been editing all day, just taking a quick break). Here’s to hoping you reach the highest goal!!
We had no idea! Thanks for informing us.
I did not know it was world AIDS day. What an awful thing for there to be so many orphans due to this awful disease. I am proud of you for contributing!
I had no idea it was World AIDS Day. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I didn’t know either! Thanks for brining it to my attention. It’s funny, today I was driving to an appointment and I heard about a fundraiser on KMOX for a Chuck Berry statue for the Loop in St. Louis. They need to raise $100,000 for the statue!! Not that I don’t think Chuck Berry was great or anything but think of all the homeless that money would feed or the other needs around our city that could be served instead, and in a recession!! Thanks for redeeming my hope in people! God bless you for doing this!
Thx for the post!!! love you guys!
Les
i had no idea…good luck with your goal!
Thank you so much for this reminder! I didn’t know it was World AIDS day but I do now!! You guys are very motivating and inspiring! : )
I only knew because my dear friend Missy sent me a prayer request e-mail asking me to be in prayer for National Aids Day.
Thanks Candace, you rock!!!
I knew and I love your post and I’m so glad for you and your donations! (:
Yep, I share your heart for the orphans, especially those who were orphaned because of AIDS either by death or abandonment. Oh for the day we escape this fallen world and the disease and destruction introduced to it!
wow i did not know that, count my comment in !
I had no idea that this was World AIDS Day. Thanks for this post, and the reminder to all of us of this devastating illness.
I had no idea.
Thank you for bringing awareness and spreading the love!
Now open that wallet/checkbook and donate!
I had no idea. Thank you for the reminder. You two are an inspiration. Love you!
Wow! I didn’t know today was World AIDS Day! You would think that something this important would be spoken about in the news. Unfortunately not. I guess it shows how people with AIDS suffer quitely through their pain. Let’s help them with their cause by doing more things like this. Thank you for bringing this important day to my attention as well as for others. =)
Awesome cause you guys!
I am so impressed with you two. Yes, I did hear about it sometime today but it didn’t really sink in until I read your post.
Thanks!
I did not know today is World AIDS Day. Thanks for the awareness. I think what you are doing is wonderful. God Bless.
Happy to be counted in! Keep it up guys! Keep us posted! God bless you all!
I did not know there is a World AIDS Day. It’s great that there are venues like this to keep the awareness up.
Just yur cousin wanting to give a shout out to my peeps, in San Fran:)
You guys are awesome!