How are you remembering World Aids Day this year?

How are you remembering World AIDS Day this year? Tomorrow, the world will gather to remember those we have lost to AIDS and to celebrate successful efforts made this year to help curb the spread of HIV and to provide better access to medication, service and care. Your ELCA Washington Office would love to hear what you are doing to mark this important day. Respond to this e-mail with your stories and photographs of your events or educational efforts. If you are in need of last minute ideas for your congregations, bible study groups or adult forums, please see some suggestions on our Web site AND at www.elca.org/AIDS. You may also wish to join Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, in signing onto the Religious Leaders Commitment to Action at www.HIVcommitment.net, as was suggested in his World AIDS Day message. This year there is a lot to celebrate, such as, but not limited to: Medical advancements that will assist communities worst hit by the HIV virus from unnecessary infection. Evidence from UNAIDS 2010 report demonstrates that in 56 at risk countries the infection rates have decreased or have stabilized, and globally numbers of new infections are less than in 2009. The new U.S. National Strategy on HIV and AIDS. Global affirmation of goals to eradicate pediatric AIDS and mother to child infection by 2015- Millennium Development Goals: 4, 5 and 6. New and innovative approaches to stigma eradication. Logically, every success comes with challenges in implementation and continued fund limitations, but in advocacy, even incremental successes need to be applauded. Thanks to your support our work on this important issue will continue. On this World AIDS Day, we ask for your prayers of support and healing for all people affected, effected or infected with HIV and AIDS. Don't forget to send us your stories and photographs on how you are commemorating the day. Just reply to this e-mail. Cheers, Daniel Pieper ELCA HIV and AIDS Public Policy Contractor