Once upon a time there was a girl named Gia. She was
beautiful and happy. She was popular and adored by many. But then one
fateful day she decided to do some heroin. The high she got every time she
shot up allowed her to escape the way she always dreamed she could. Sadly, she got
addicted to the drug and lost everything. Her beautiful career and all her
friends were gone. Like a shooting star Gia disappeared. She got AIDS and
then she died.
Gia's story, when presented so bluntly, conveys the
harsh reality of addiction and its consequences. At the end of 2004, around
500,000 Americans were living with AIDS - 21% were injection drug users. Gia
died almost 20 years ago of the same disease that has infected over 40
million people around the world.
A lot has been done and thanks to some wonderful
people out there things are happening. But until there is a cure, all the
help in the world will not be enough. We all need to take part in this
cause. Regardless of how small the act, we must all fight this battle
together. Lots of lives can be saved by the simple act of spreading the word
out to people who may be at risk.
HIV is NOT inevitable.
|
 |
 In
2005 and estimated 40,300,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS.
In 2005 there were an estimated 4,900,000 people newly infected
with HIV.
More
than 25,000,000 have died of AIDS since 1981.
Africa has 12,000,000 AIDS orphans
Young
people (15-25) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.
More than 6,000 people become infected with HIV everyday.
An estimated 3,100,000 people died of AIDS related causes
in 2005. 57,000 of them were children.
Young
people (15-25) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide.
Statistics taken
from
Avert: A UK HIV and AIDS Charity.
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