Its 25 years into the AIDS pandemic and HIV is still a threat to men, women and children all around the world, with no cure in the foreseeable future. According to some estimates there are 38.6 million people living with HIV.

World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done and things that you can do to help. You can raise awareness in your area and donate to the many HIV research studies or community AIDS support groups. Wearing a ribbon may only raise a few eyebrows but at least you will be doing something towards fighting this deathly disease called AIDS.

Keep in mind that World AIDS Day is not just a day abut raising money, but also about increasing awareness, education and fighting prejudice towards people who live with the disease.

Here is a list of things you can do on World AIDS Day to help people suffering and to prevent the disease from hurting more people:

1. Make a donation to Amfar. They can be found at amfar.org. Amfar is one of the world’s nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.
2. Make a donation to GLAAD which can be found at GLAAD.org
3. until.org – you can purchase a bracelet that Jessica Alba wears to promote “Until There’s A Cure”
4. yesinstitute.org – GLBT Youth Charity
5. Donate to local AIDS/HIV clinics – this will get great results for people in need that you can see where they money and time is going. Instead of just contributing to the celebrity promoted world funds people should not overlook people here in America dying and suffering from this virus that need our help. Local AIDS/HIV programs need your volunteer help and need money for the programs to continue to run.  There are many programs that have far less funding thanks to the Bush Administration and many Republicans who are heart-less to this cause.

I would like to find a list of HIV charities that really donate to the real causes and are not just setup by the Bush Administration to prevent sex completely.  If anyone can send me this information please do so.

Everyone should do something towards helping the public aware we have an AIDS epidemic on our hands. HIV does not discriminate to gay, straight, lesbian, transgender, black, white, Mexican, Latino, Asian, or even Indian. Make sure you do something today and make yourself heard.