AIDS is undeniably one of the most devastating epidemics of modern times, claiming nearly 30 million lives over the past three decades – more than the entire population of Australia. And the fact that infection is now largely avoidable only makes it worse.
Encouragingly, central Africa, the region historically hardest hit by the disease has seen strong and continued support over the years, along with good progress in development and use of AIDS-suppression antiviral drugs. However, other susceptible groups, including parts of Eastern Europe and Asia as well as the most defenseless group of all; children, are now starting to lag behind in terms of awareness and support and a renewed commitment to prevention and treatment is badly needed. Read the complete UNAIDS article for a more complete picture of the current state of the HIV/AIDS fight.
Support Shared Responsibility
For 2013, the theme of International AIDS Awareness Month is “Shared Responsibility: Strengthening results for an AIDS-free generation”. The goal is to add strength to the ideal that the current generation of sufferers could be the last that ever has to worry about contracting the dreaded disease.
Rather than focus on the negative, International AIDS Day (globally acknowledged on December 1st), and National AIDS Month in the USA (all of December), is a great opportunity for each of us to do our part to help eliminate HIV/AIDS from threatening our world and our future. Plus, December is a fitting time to turn some of our attention to those less fortunate in the world, since many people often reflect on the year that has just passed and look for ways to show generosity to those in need in their community – and few people deserve consideration more than AIDS suffers.
What Everyone Can Do
The best way for each of us to do our part is by showing support. This includes offering personal comfort and understanding for individual suffers along with financial support for the global fight for a cure. So in an effort to make showing support simpler, below are some of the best AIDS charities, help foundations and outreach programs from around the world.
Our hope is that you can find it in your heart and budget to help even a little bit, either locally or anonymously via an online pledge, since many of the worst-affected people live in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Aid for Africa
A consortium of over 80 different charity organizations from around the world, Aid for Africa administered tens of millions of dollars toward a variety of problems that face Africa including; education, healthcare, housing, vaccinations, and of course HIV/AIDS. Donations to Aid for Africa are accepted through their partner charities or can be made directly either as a one-time-only or monthly gift.
Unicef
The world’s preeminent children’s benefit charity, Unicef, manages numerous efforts worldwide directed at education and assistance for parents of HIV-positive children and treatment for them to live happier, healthier lives, in addition to a nearly endless list of other child-focused endeavors. Donations to Unicef are accepted on a single or monthly basis.
AIDS United
USA-based AIDS United is dedicated to the eradication of HIV/AIDS in the United States by managing and allocating donations to qualifying grantees who are dedicated to AIDS education, awareness, prevention and/or research. AIDS United makes donation easy by accepting major credit cards via their secure website.
American Foundation for Children with AIDS
Beyond just accepting and sending money to kids in need in Africa, the American Foundation for Children with AIDS even lets generous volunteers get involved by hosting events they call “vacations with a purpose”. These allow individuals to go to Africa short-term to help out personally with outreach programs. They also graciously accept single or recurring financial donations and even have a program for givers to invite their employer to match their personal donation which could be a great idea for an office donation drive.
AIDS Research Alliance
Dedicated to the search for a vaccine and ultimately a cure, the AIDS Research Alliance also pours millions of dollars of annual donations into making the lives of current HIV and AIDS positive people easier and more comfortable until the cure is found. The AIDS Research Alliance performs its own research in proprietary laboratories, including several successes in development of symptom-treating pharmaceuticals, as well as sponsoring and financially supporting the work of other like-minded research organizations. AIDS Research Alliance appreciates help in the form of donations of cash, credit cards, electronic transfers, gifted stocks, automobiles and other valuables, or organized fundraisers, see their website for more details.
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, EGPAF for short, is one of the longest-running and most prolific child-AIDS benefit organizations in the world and focuses on helping mothers and babies who are born with or contract AIDS early in life around the world. Having celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2013, to date EGPAF has provided assistance, including long-term antiretroviral treatments and other care, to nearly 17 million needy persons. EGPAF accepts online donations starting at just $10 via all major credit cards.
Donate Locally
Remember, nearly every community has local HIV/AIDS outreach and assistance groups that are working hard to help people in your own neighborhood. Be sure to support them, just make sure that they are legitimate. About.com has done a great job of outlining some of the basics for what to look before making a charitable donation to an AIDS foundation, so check it out to make sure your heard-earned money really does go to those in need.
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