Letter: Today is World AIDS Day
December 1, 2021 is World AIDS Day. On this day, people throughout the world will take some time to remember someone that has died of this disease. Since 1981, over 33 million people have died worldwide.
The good news today is that we have an arsenal of knowledge and medical treatments to both prevent and medically manage this disease in those individuals that may become infected with HIV.
The Panhandle AIDS Support Organization, AKA: PASO has been providing services to individuals that are HIV positive, or have a diagnosis of AIDS throughout the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle since 1987. Over the past 12 months PASO has provided services to 349 men, women, and children. PASO though, has provided services to thousands of Texas Panhandle residents throughout its 34-year history.
Our agency is proud of the work we do and honored to serve the members of our community that are both infected, and affected by HIV/AIDS.
If you have lost a loved one to HIV/AIDS, please take the time today to remember your loved one, as well as, recommitting yourself to fighting this disease. Stand up, speak the truth about this disease, and fight for those that are still misunderstood and discriminated against, because they are infected by a virus.
You can also get tested for the virus today. Or, get tested tomorrow, or next week. Early medical intervention will allow anyone to live and thrive even though they are infected.
All of us need to be in this fight….together. And on this day, we need to remember “their” names.
Michael Timcisko/ Executive Director, PASO
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Letter to the editor today is World AIDS Day
