World AIDS Day is observed each year on December 1st.  The Central Illinois HIV/AIDS Collaborative, which is comprised of Central Illinois FRIENDS of PWA, Common Ground, Heart of Illinois HIV/AIDS Center, Minority AIDS Awareness Council, Peoria City/County Health Department, Planned Parenthood, and Rainbow Youth provides a community awareness program.

In 1988, a group of health ministers from around the world had come together earlier that year to meet about HIV/AIDS and how it affected their countries.  It was decided that there was a need for a new spirit of tolerance and understanding and an exchange of information.  For this reason, The World Health Organization designated December 1 as a day of international observance of the global impact of HIV/AIDS.  Since then World AIDS Day has played an important role in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and spurring collective action.

On World AIDS Day, we remember the 20 million people who have died of AIDS and recognize the 40 million who are living with the disease.  On this day, the world is urged to do more to curb the spread of HIV and end the stigma associated with the disease.

World AIDS Day is not only for remembering those we have lost.  It is very much for the many people living with HIV/AIDS who come from all backgrounds, all communities, and all walks of life.  What we must always remember is that AIDS is not over.  Medicines now help people live longer and healthier lives.  But the epidemic is still growing, especially among African Americans and Hispanics.