today for you...

Tomorrow... for me.
If you have ever seen RENT or heard the soundtrack, perhaps you know of the punchy, rock-pop musical that became a mega-hit on Broadway in the 1990's. The man behind the musical was dying from AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome before it premiered. He never got to see it performed in an actual Broadway show, but he brought to the light a very important issue that faces the entire world today: AIDS.

What is AIDS?
So many people know that the epidemic is "bad," but so many do not even know what it is. In case you dozed off in health class (as so many do), AIDS, which stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a condition where the immune system has been weakened so that it has trouble fighting off even some very basic viruses that can cause the common cold and other illnesses that most people would be easily able to recover from. Being so susceptible to disease in a world where germs are everywhere is dangerous, and almost always results in untimely death.

How do you get AIDS?
It is impossible to come into contact with AIDS and automatically have it. That is because AIDS is a series of symptoms that are caused by the sexually transmitted disease, HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is the virus that causes the condition known as AIDS. It is what causes the immune system to weaken, and once it is weakened enough, the victim of the virus is no longer just HIV positive, but AIDS positive as well.

HIV can be transmitted by:

• Having unprotected (ie:without a condom) vaginal or anal sex with someone infected with HIV.
• Having oral sex with an infected person. There is elevated risk if ejaculation in the mouth occurs and that risk increases even more if either person has mouth sores, canker sores, bleeding gums, or another STD.
• Sharing needles or syringes with anyone who has HIV.
• Having and breast-feeding a child if the mother has HIV leaves a high risk that the child too will become infected.

Where did AIDS originate?

The AIDS condition began to become problematic in the early 1980's, and the US began tracking it in 1982. But the trouble was, they were not sure where it came from. In the mid-1970's doctors in New York and Los Angeles noticed more and more gay men developing rare cancers and other illnesses. Then, from a sample of blood taken from a man that lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1959, doctors were able to identify the virus that was becoming more common in big cities as HIV-1. It turns out the disease originated in Africa from chimpanzees in west Africa. When hunters came into contact with the blood of infected chimps, they were exposed to the virus.

How can I help?

You can donate to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is a large, reputable, and reliable organization that helps clients around the world receive medical care, treatment, prevention, testing, and helps fund research. To help fight AIDS worldwide, donate or learn more here. If you are thinking a little bigger, why not try organizing a fundraiser? For questions about donating and fundraising for the AHF, please call Julia Miele, Director of Fundraising at 323.860.5240.

Love shopping, or just have some old clothing to give away? Maybe it is time to donate or shop for a good cause. Out of the Closet thrift stores take donations a welcome shoppers with a promise to help an important cause. To see if there is an Out of Closet near you, click here. Unfortunately, they are only located in Florida and California, but I am sure they will be expanding should their cause find success.

I'm sure you have heard of Bono's organization, (PRODUCT) RED. Gracing gadgets from Apple, Motorola, Dell, and many others, consider spending on something red, such as the Apple iPod Nano, starting at about $200.

Gap also sells an assortment of clothing including tee shirts, bags, and shoes. Check out the more subtle CULTU(RED) tee for fall.

Although a significantly lower percentage of what you pay goes to the foundation than if you were to simply donate, these products are a way to incorporate an important cause into your every-day life. To purchase this tee, click here. You also might want to check out H&M stores for their collection of charitable tees designed by musicians such as Rihanna.

If we work together, we may some day be able to live in a world where poor children are born into life with the virus and no one loses a daughter or son or husband or wife or mother or father to AIDS.