Tag Archives: AIDS

Indian Court Issues Warrant for Richard Gere

Wow, the Indian Court system is serious! If you remember the other day, I wrote about how Richard Gere was in trouble for giving Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty a hug and kiss during an AIDS awareness function in New Dehli earlier this month. He swept her into his arms and kissed her several times. I think anyone from America could see from the video circulating on youtube.com that he was just hamming it up, but the Indians were not amused. Such public displays of affection are very taboo within the Indian culture and to do it, especially on stage was … Continue reading →

Celebrities Rally For World AIDS Day

Did you know today is World AIDS Day? Since 1988 the first day in December has been set aside to unite efforts worldwide in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Statistics show that around 40 million people are living with HIV throughout the world – and that number increases in every region every day. Even more startling, in the first 10 months of 2006, some 4.3 million people became newly infected with the virus and around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. … Continue reading →

Ashley Judd Joins War On AIDS

When you hear the words “AIDS,” “Africa,” and “celebrity,” do you instantly think of Oprah and U2’s Bono. I do. And for good reason. The mega-stars have been heavy hitters in the battle against the disease raising millions of dollars to offer relief to residents living in communities that have been ravaged by the disease. But, now the talk show queen and the Irish rocker can add a new celebrity do-gooder to their list of soldiers: Ashley Judd. Despite having a new film in theaters (“Come Early Morning”) and another on the way (“Bug,” due in early 2007) –it’s Judd’s … Continue reading →

A Name on the Quilt – Jeannine Atkins

Laura and her family have gathered together to make a special quilt to remember her Uncle Ron, who has died. Some of Ron’s friends came over and they are helping, too. As they stitch, they share memories of the fun things that Ron used to do with them. He took Laura ice skating, they went to the lake, they played Scrabble, and they loved to dance in Ron’s living room. By the time the quilt is finished, everyone has contributed their thoughts about Ron and how he will be missed. What the story portion of the book doesn’t say outright … Continue reading →

Spotlight on African Adoptions

This week I want to specifically focus on adoptions from Africa. Why Africa? Because there are currently 14 million orphans in Africa and by the year 2010 there will be more than 25 million. This one continent holds more than half of the orphans in the world. The purpose of the next few days is to put a spotlight on Africa and the huge need of the orphans there. While the number of children waiting for adoption is very high, the continent of Africa also has a fairly low incidence of adoption. Compared to countries like China, Russia and Guatemala … Continue reading →

iPod (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition Nano

Last week Apple released a new version of their iPod Nano. The iPod (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod is your typical 4GB iPod Nano, with an extra special twist. The iPod (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod also benefits the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. The iPod, which is red in color, can only be purchased online or at your local Apple store. When you purchase the iPod, $10 of your purchase price is given to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. This iPod is one of the dozens of electronics I have come across recently that … Continue reading →

Oprah And Bono Paint The Town Red

There’s nothing like hitting Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile” for a pre-holiday shopping spree. But, imagine running into talk show host Oprah Winfrey and rocker Bono while you’re doing so. That’s exactly what happened to hundreds of Windy City shoppers yesterday. So why would Oprah and the lead singer of the multi-platinum rock band U2 be hitting the stores during one of the city’s coldest fall days on record? It wasn’t to stock up on their winter wardrobes. Rather, the humanitarians were promoting a new line of clothing, accessories and gadgets, including a special-edition iPod, which will raise money to fight AIDS … Continue reading →

Twenty-Five Years of AIDS: Disease Transmission

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Right now, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS. Slowing the spread of the disease is currently the only way we have of controlling it. The disease is spread in several ways: Through sexual contact with an infected person Sharing needles with an infected person Through transfusions of infected blood or blood clotting factors, or receipt of infected organs While pregnant, during childbirth, or by breast-feeding Since 1985, the risk of contracting HIV or AIDS through blood transfusions or organ donation has become very low. Many countries screen blood for HIV antibodies before using it. The disease is NOT … Continue reading →

HIV and AIDS: Fact and Fiction

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When I was a little girl, I had a very strong fear of AIDS. I did not know much at all about the disease. Some nights, I would be too afraid to sleep. I was sure I was going to catch AIDS from a toilet seat at school. The disease was new and mysterious… and I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep until I learned the facts. Myth: HIV and AIDS can be easily transmitted through a hug or kiss, a mosquito bite, or even just sharing a drinking glass. FACT: The disease is transmitted through blood and other bodily … Continue reading →

Women and HIV

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In the twenty-five years that HIV has been in the public eye, the number of women affected by the disease has increased. Approximately eight percent of cases in 1985 were women; in 2004, that number increased to 27%. Women are actually more susceptible to HIV infection through sexual intercourse, because they have more mucous membranes exposed to potentially infected bodily fluids. A woman is twice as likely as a man to get an HIV infection during sex. As the disease progresses, women may experience recurring yeast infections and cervical cancer. If you are infected with HIV and become pregnant, you … Continue reading →