In the very popular world of online dating and personal social networking sites, we are often very good at ensuring we have updated our information: pictures and other fun and personal details we choose to share with others on a regular basis to keep our personal profiles current and engaging to others.
Another reality on these popular dating sites is that not everyone’s personal profile is exactly current or, dare I say, even remotely accurate to the real person. They may not be as thin as they claim, as tall as they claim or as young as they claim to be, but you wouldn’t find out until you actually end up meeting in person.
You chats and converse, and may even ask some of the more personal questions that you should be asking before planning a more intimate connection. The most important one being: are you free of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?
I can pretty much guarantee, based on my personal experiences to date, that the answer will almost always be “yes” even when they are not sure or even when they know they are infected with some kind of STI that should be disclosed to potential sexual partners.
While there are people in developing countries that have no access to HIV testing, we continue to see people in developing countries like Canada, choose not to get tested even though the need is real and the opportunity is within their grasp.
These are the world wide statistics:
• 33 Million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
• The vast majority of HIV positive people are unaware of their HIV status.
• 9.7 Million people are in urgent need of lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) today.
• Less than 3 Million people have access to ART today, leaving more than 6 Million to become sick and die.
• Traditional Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) models are inadequate and inefficient to provide the testing volume to reach global demand.
It’s time for a reality check. Ignorance and denial are not valid excuses for passing on STIs to others. You are fortunate to have the ability to know your HIV status for certain, so that you can make the right decisions and take the right precautions.
This 1st of December, there are no more excuses.
The Calgary Coalition on HIV/AIDS (CCHA) has chosen to connect with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s World AIDS Day challenge to test 1 million people in the developing world for HIV infection. This is being done to address the problem that, until people know their own HIV status, there is little that can be done to stop the spread of new infections and deaths worldwide.
As part of our local campaign and World AIDS Day activities, AIDS Calgary is promoting the message of “knowing your HIV status” and will be conducting a one day HIV testing clinic. It will run December 1st from 8am to 8pm on the main floor of the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre.
If you have never been tested, or are due to be tested again as part of your healthcare routine, I urge you to come by and be part of the 1 million tests campaign worldwide. Find out what YOUR true HIV status is.
There will be a number of other events happening in and around the city so keep your eyes open for announcements and posters for shows, fundraisers, information tables and seminars being planned for the week leading up to World AIDS Day. And remember to take part and support the agencies and services that work to make a difference in the lives of persons living with HIV or who may be at risk for HIV infection.
Most importantly remember to take care of yourself and the ones you love, as you take a moment out of your day on December 1st to remember the millions of lives lost to HIV and AIDS, and the millions more who continue to live each day with HIV.
