World AIDS Today

1 in 10 San Franciscans living with AIDS does not receive primary care.

December 1st marks World AIDS Day, a day to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic. Today was the 20th anniversary. AIDS sprung to our attention in the 1980's as a mysterious disease affecting predominately gay men. With the emergence of the disease came discrimination and mistreatment due to lack of understanding. Today, we know more about the AIDS and the virus (HIV) that is transmitted by blood, sex and breastfeeding, which can lead to the development of AIDS. And over the last two decades, we have seen the face of AIDS (it affects everyone).

Over 60 million people have been infected with HIV, a number that continues to grow. And the death toll continues to rises.

There is so much that has to be done to understand the virus, decrease transmission, fund treatment and support those living and dying with HIV and AIDS.



Today, we gathered together, each donning sign with a statistic. With our signs and red ribbons, we made our way to Parnassus Avenue (right in front of the main hospital), where we stood in solidarity, remembering those who have lost the fight and those that are continuing the battle the disease each day.