Things You Should Know...

What fundraising will do...

Every $100 you raise will pay for one month of nutritious breakfasts and healthy snacks for preschoolers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS

Every $500 you raise will pay for thirty two hours of personal nursing care.

33.6 million people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. 32.4 million are adults, 14.8 million are women, 1.2 million are children that are under the age of 15.

An estimated 16.3 million people have died from AIDS since the epidemic began. 3.6 million were children under 15.

The epidemic has left behind a total 11.2 million AIDS Orphans.

Every $100 you raise can pay for a week’s supply of lifesaving medicine.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are among the ten states reporting the highest number of AIDS cases.

In the United States, at least 2000 young people between the ages of 13 and 24 are diagnosed with HIV.

Every $500 Philadelphia University’s 2001 AIDS Walk Team raises will pay for four primary medical visits for an uninsured person living with HIV.

In Philadelphia 

70% of AIDS cases reported in Philadelphia as of 1998 were reported among African-Americans. Dec. 1998, AACO Surveillance

Philadelphia's heterosexual AIDS cases in women continue to out number those reported in men (89 cases compared to 95) in 1998. Dec. 1998, AACO Surveillance

Women who use IV drugs and have heterosexual contacts represent the highest proportion of women developing AID (47.3%). Dec. 1998, AACO Surveillance

AIDS Facts

Unlike cancer treatment, which ends after a fixed period of time, drug therapy for HIV continues for life. LAT, 4/98 New drug treatments are helping people with AIDS to live longer, however: 

They cost on average $15,000 per year  

Medications don't prevent people from contracting HIV 

There are reports of new strains of HIV that medications don't work for at all  

Since people are living longer, there's more need for existing services 

New programs are needed to help people live life, instead of preparing for death 

New trials have begun for an AIDS vaccine around the country including Philadelphia, however: 

Scientists are skeptical about the success of the vaccine 

An AIDS vaccine will not help the estimated 30,000 people in the Philadelphia region living with HIV 

There is still no cure for AIDS

AIDS Is Preventable 

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a life-threatening illness caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is not transmitted through casual contact. It is safe to hold hands, kiss, and work with someone who has HIV or AIDS. People can only become infected if the virus gets into their bloodstream. Once inside the body, the virus attacks the immune system, leaving the body susceptible to opportunistic infections. Although people are living longer there is still no cure. If you need more information about how the virus is transmitted, free testing, protecting yourself or AIDS services in the region, call the Community AIDS Hotline at 1-800-985-AIDS or the CDC National AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-AIDS.