Reminders

One important, one not-so-much, but both regarding December 1.

December 1 is World AIDS Day, a global event started in 1988 to promote action and awareness. The theme for this year, chosen by UNAIDS, is Keep the Promise. Those who know me well know that I used to work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention, and that it is a cause about which I care a great deal. Just a few facts:

Every day in Africa, HIV/AIDS kills 6,600 people, 8,800 people are infected with the HIV virus, and at least 1,400 newborn babies are infected during childbirth.

There were 37.2 million adults and 2.2 million children worldwide living with HIV at the end of 2004.

During the year 4.9 million people became newly infected with the virus.

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.

Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

This pandemic is preventable, which makes these statistics all the more sad.

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The second reminder about today is that Oprah is finally appearing on Late Night with David Letterman, so make sure you watch it!