World AIDS Day 2011

Today is World AIDS Day.

It's been 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported but unfortunately the disease is still a reality today. There are currently 34 million people living with HIV and every 16 seconds, someone around the world dies from AIDS.

And it's not just an issue in other countries. From 2005 to 2008 the number of CANADIANS living with HIV/AIDS INCREASED 14%.

There is no cure... yet.

So get tested, wrap it up, be smart, be safe and help fight for an AIDS free generation by 2015.

World AIDS Day: 5 Easy Ways to Help Fight AIDS All Year

There are an estimated 33.4 million people living with HIV.
It is not a disease of the past. It is happening now.
In 2007 AIDS killed 2.1 million people, including 330,000 children.
AIDS doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care if you're male or female, rich or poor, gay or straight.
AIDS doesn't care how many or how few people you've had sex with.
There is no vaccine and there is no cure.

But there is always hope.

Every year World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness, but the fight against AIDS doesn't take 24 hours.
There are simple ways to join the fight all year long.

5. Get tested.
For the sake of protecting others as well as yourself, if you may have been exposed to HIV get tested as soon as possible. The sooner you know, the sooner you can get the help you need.

4. Donate.
There are many amazing charities doing some amazing things to fight AIDS. Some of my favourites are: The Mercury Phoenix Trust, CANFAR and The Global Fund.

3. Buy things.
Want to donate but kind of want something in return? It's okay, I won't tell. There are lots of companies who are donating money for the sale of certain items. Check out Aldo, MAC, and all the awesome companies that take part in the (Red) campaign (including Starbucks, Gap, Apple, Dell and Hallmark.) Chances are, there is something you already need to purchase that can be bought from a company supporting an AIDS charity.

2. Wear a ribbon.
Wear a ribbon on your shirt. Post one on Twitter or Facebook. Just talking about HIV and AIDS can do a world of good in helping end the stigma.

1. Wear a condom.
Remember, HIV is asymptomatic so your partner may not even know they are infected. As my mother likes to say "Some gifts are meant to stay wrapped."

AIDS Awareness Week: What You Wearing Wednesday

I am in love with this shade of lipstick. It doesn't come off nearly as well in a webcam photo. It is truly the most flattering shade of red I have ever seen, and it works on so many people!
Want to know what makes this lipstick even better? It is from M·A·C's Viva Glam collection.
When you buy a Viva Glam product EVERY CENT is donated to the M·A·C Aids Fund. How cool is that?


What else am I wearing today? Well my wristband from the Mercury Phoenix Trust (which I spoke about in yesterday's post) came in the mail today! It has the words 'Let Me Live' inscribed on it, referring to the song of the same name from the album Made In Heaven, and inside the band is the url for the Trust's website.

To join 'What You Wearing Wednesdays' visit Fi at her blog.

AIDS Awareness Week: Remembering Freddie

On this day 18 years, the world lost one of the most amazing voices it has ever known. Though I was only 5 years old when he passed away, Freddie Mercury holds the spot as my favourite musical artist of all time.

I remember learning Queen songs when I took piano lessons in elementary school and listening to Greatest Hits II on my Fisher Price tape recorder.

I remember singing We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions along with the rest of my baseball team during games.

Bohemian Rhapsody had a special place in my high school career. I remember the performance piece 3 friends and I did with that song for our 10th grade drama class, and reprised for the Arts Banquet that year.

It is nearly impossible to come up with my favourite Queen song. However, without a doubt my favourite Queen music video (and probably my favourite music video period) is for I Want to Break Free.

November 24, 1991 Freddie Mercury died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS, just one day after publicly announcing he had the disease in the following statement to the press:

Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors, and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue.

The last music video filmed with Freddie was for the song These Are The Days of Our Lives. The words "I still love you" at the end of the video were Freddie's last words ever recorded on camera.

After his death, the remaining members of Queen, along with their manager Jim Beach, launched The Mercury Phoenix Trust with The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness. The concert was held April 20, 1992 at Wembley Stadium.

The Mercury Phoenix Trust has been active ever since, raising millions of dollars for AIDS related charities all over the world.

RIP Freddie Mercury
September 5, 1946 - November 24, 1991