It takes courage to learn about HIV/AIDS, and even more courage to do something about it, said Charles Sandefur, president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, in the wake of the United Nations World AIDS Day Dec. 1.
It takes courage to learn about HIV/AIDS, and even more courage to do something about it, said Charles Sandefur, president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, in the wake of the United Nations World AIDS Day Dec. 1.
“As a worldwide church, it’s important that we support global efforts to combat the AIDS challenge, affirming all is being done to improve quality of life for families and children that have been impacted by the AIDS virus,” says Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations Liaison director for the Adventist world church.
“ADRA is strongly committed to doing something about this devastating disease because the impact is immense—consider that last year alone AIDS claimed 8,000 people every single day,” Sandefur says. “It’s time to take action.”
ADRA, the church’s humanitarian agency, released a new HIV/AIDS awareness kit this year, which was mailed to Adventist schools and churches all over the United States. Red ribbons, a part of the kit, were also shipped to several countries, including Sri Lanka, Guinea and India. On World AIDS Day, more than 60,000 people wore the red ribbons provided by ADRA. “We appreciate the people and organizations that courageously partnered with ADRA to wear and share red ribbons as a sign of care, concern, hope and support for people who are affected by HIV/AIDS,” Sandefur says.
This year alone there have been 5 million new HIV breakouts and 3 million AIDS-related deaths. Three million children are living with HIV/AIDS, while 13.4 million others under age 15 have been orphaned.
The Adventist Church’s International HIV/AIDS Africa Office is scheduled to open in January 2003. The center, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, will focus on care and vocational training for AIDS orphans and widows, treatment for those infected, and a widespread education and prevention effort in churches, schools, and communities. The office is a joint effort of the three Adventist church divisions, or regions, in Africa, and is supported by ADRA; Loma Linda University, an Adventist-owned medical facility in California; and the church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
At a United Nations World AIDS Day commemoration Nov. 26, speakers appealed to faith communities to get more involved in assisting families and children with HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness of this disease in the communities where they work. Participants included Ann Claxton and Reverend Michael Faulkner of World Vision, a faith-based Christian organization; Sandra Thurman, president of the International AIDS Trust; actress Whoopi Goldberg; Wojciech Tomczynski of the National Network of People Living with AIDS; and Desmond Johns, director of UNAIDS New York Office.
The slogan “Live and Let Live” for World AIDS Day was adopted this year. World AIDS Day was first commemorated in 1988 to honor the memory of those who have died from AIDS.
