Today is World AIDS Day, a day to bring awareness to the ongoing battle against AIDS. Here are some sad facts about AIDS:

Every year 3 million people die from AIDS. Of the 40 million people infected by HIV/AIDS, Africa (which has just over 10% of the world’s population) is home to 60% (25 million). The disease is the leading cause of death in Africa.

Women comprise the fastest growing population group living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa and the result of their illness on children is compelling. Every time a man or woman is started on anti-retroviral drugs, the survival of children becomes less precarious.

An estimated 13 million children in Africa have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS already and this number is growing. Almost 2000 children, most of them from sub-Saharan Africa, are infected with HIV each day.

The saddest thing is that AIDS is a preventable, treatable disease, but many of those who have it, especially in developing countries, do not have the access to treatment.

Bono, who is one of the people trying hard to bring awareness to this epidemic, has started a campaign called the (Red) Campaign. He's teamed up with The Gap, American Express, myspace, Converse and many other companies to create products where part of the proceeds go to The Global Fund, an organization made up of companies, countries and individuals brought together to finance the war on AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing areas.

You may have seen the Gap ads on billboards, on bus stops or at your local Gap store.

I decided to do my part and get some awareness out there and make my own Gap ad. Some of you may remember Apolo Anton Ohno, short track Olympic gold medal winner at the Olympics...and some of you may recognize the handsome guy on the right...

Posted by Yano at December 1, 2006 02:33 PM

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---