World AIDS Day facts

World AIDS Day is this WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1, and Boston University has lots planned throughout the week. Starting Wednesday, we'll have a bunch of GSU link tables with red ribbons and free condoms! To raise awareness, the condoms will have facts printed on them:

-every 12 seconds, someone contracts HIV
-every 16 seconds, someone dies of HIV
-having an STD makes someone 5x more likely to contract HIV
-condoms can reduce the risk of HIV by 70-100%
-1 in 250 Americans have HIV
-HIV can be transmitted through oral, vaginal, and anal sex
-2/3 of college students do not consistently use condoms

Also, everyone should GET TESTED on the third floor of the GSU on Wednesday and Thursday from 1 pm to 4 pm. The testing is completely free and confidential. If you feel nervous about getting tested, check out the video we have of DMers getting tested themselves!

Finally, there are a few great events going on for those interested in learning about what living with HIV/AIDS is like in the US, how the epidemic is being fought worldwide and what you can do.

WEDNESDAY

Documentary: The Lazarus Effect, a film depicting the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs in Zambia. Sister Sheila, who works with HIV positive women in South Africa, will lead a discussion about HIV in developing countries following the film.
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Howard Thurman Center

Panel Discussion: The Face of AIDS In Boston. Panelists will discuss the social implications of living with the disease in one of the largest cities in the United States.
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Conference Auditorium

Candlelit Vigil: Remember those who have been lost throughout the years.
5:00 p.m.
Marsh Plaza

THURSDAY

Spotlight Speaker: Mark, owner of a video production company and former camper at Camp Heartland, a summer camp for HIV positive youth, will be speaking about the struggles of living with HIV.
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Conference Auditorium

More Information about Mark:
As someone living with hemophilia, Hepatitis C, and HIV, the hardest thing for Mark was not being able to talk to anyone, afraid of what people would think and losing friends. He gained the courage to speak about his experiences as a camper then a counselor at Camp Heartland, one of Dance Marathon's charities for kids with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

He has since started his own video production company, Markie Z Productions. He also works full time for AHF, a homecare pharmacy for hemophiliacs and people who are immune-compromised.See More