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How is World AIDS Day? World aids day

On December 1, the whole world celebrates an important day for humanity - World AIDS Day... This day reminds us of the need to prevent the global spread of this terrible disease. Back in 1988, the UN announced the immense scale of the AIDS epidemic. This date was officially introduced into the calendar of important annual events to inform people of all ages - from schoolchildren to adults, established personalities - about the insurmountable dangers facing a person infected with the immunodeficiency virus.

AIDS day symbol

For many years, AIDS campaigns have been held on this day. Most organizations and educational institutions carry out comprehensive activities to alert the population before and after the official date. The main symbol of this event was the red ribbon. It was recognized as a sign of struggle 23 years ago. The famous symbol was invented by the American art critic and artist Frank Moore. He was inspired by the idea, which was supported by the neighbors of his house, who wore a yellow ribbon as a sign of waiting for their serving daughter from the hostilities. Green ribbons of mourning for murdered children in Atlanta were also the impetus for the creation.

Events on the day of the fight against AIDS are informative and instructive in nature. They try to talk about methods of protection, prevention and treatment of a terrible disease. And also about the rules of patient care and behavior in countries with the maximum prevalence of this disease. Every year in our country this event is held under a certain motto. For the past 4 years, AIDS Day has been titled “Towards zero”.

Joint Organization for Disease Response

In 1996, a global organization led by the UN was created, consisting of six missions, working in this important direction:

  • Children's Fund united nations.
  • Development program controlled by the United Nations.
  • Organization of UNESCO.
  • The World Bank.
  • International Population Fund.

This consolidated structure became known as UNAIDS. This organization is engaged in global long-term development in the field of HIV prevention and assistance to foundations for struggle and research. International AIDS Day has become the global voice of resistance to this terrible disease.

Modern AIDS Day events

At the moment, there is a program created by world leaders that promises to eradicate AIDS by 2030. On the day of the fight against AIDS Of 2018 goals announced for next year: to reduce the incidence of infection by 2 times, to make public therapy for those infected with HIV, to reduce mortality and the list of countries that have restrictions on entry due to a widespread disease in the territory. Traditionally, the All-Russian Day of the Fight against AIDS will be marked by a multitude of actions and events with the involvement of state channels, the domestic elite and artists.

Read about others on the portal.

Every year on December 1, in accordance with the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the decision of the UN General Assembly adopted in 1988, World Day against Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is celebrated.
The idea of ​​World AIDS Day was first proposed by the World Health Organization; it was supported by representatives of 140 countries of the world. The day was first celebrated on December 1, 1988, following a call for social tolerance and increased information sharing on HIV / AIDS at a meeting of ministers of health from all countries.

This date was set in order to draw the attention of the world community to the spread of HIV infection, which has assumed the scale of a global pandemic, spreading throughout all regions of the world.

Everyone, regardless of where they live, has the right to health, which also depends on adequate sanitation and housing, quality food, healthy conditions labor and access to justice. The right to health is linked to a broader set of rights.

We will be able to stop the AIDS epidemic as a threat to public health only if we put these rights at the center of the global health system, ensuring everyone, without exception, has access to quality medicine.

There has been significant progress in the field of HIV treatment. UNAIDS has released a new report that notes that access to treatment in to a large extent increased. In 2000, only 685,000 people living with HIV had access to antiretroviral treatment, and by June 2017, about 20.9 million people had access to life-saving drugs. This dramatic scale-up of treatment would not have been possible without the selfless and decisive action of people living with HIV to claim and demand their rights, backed by sustained, strong leadership and financial commitment.

  • In 2016, 19.5 million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy.
  • In 2016, the global number of people living with HIV was 36.7 million.
  • In 2016, the number of new HIV infections was 1.8 million.
  • In 2016, the number of people who died from AIDS-related illnesses was 1 million.
  • Since the beginning of the epidemic, 76.1 million people have become infected with HIV.
  • Since the beginning of the epidemic, 35.0 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses.
  • In 2016, the number of people living with HIV was 36.7 million.

The international symbol of the fight against AIDS is the "red ribbon" - a piece of silk ribbon folded in a special way. This emblem was created in April 1991 by the American artist Frank Moore, who died of AIDS in 2002 at the age of 48. Nowadays, no AIDS event is complete without the "red ribbon", which is used as a logo by WHO, UN agencies and various charitable foundations.

What is HIV / AIDS?

HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus lives only in the human body and, if exposed to the open air, dies within a few minutes. It should be noted that in used unsterilized syringes, the virus can remain viable for several days due to the remains of blood or other liquid inside the needle. However, in order for the transmission of the virus to occur, it is necessary to inject the contents of such a syringe into the human bloodstream.

Doctors have a special term "HIV status", which reflects the presence or absence of the immunodeficiency virus in the human body. Positive status means that HIV is in the human body, negative means that there is no virus in the blood. People who have HIV in their bodies are usually called HIV - positive or people living with HIV. People who are not found to have HIV are called HIV - negative.

When HIV enters the bloodstream of a person, it infects a certain category of cells that have so-called CD-4 receptors (receptors with which HIV is able to enter a cell). These include immune cells: T-lymphocytes (ensure the recognition and destruction of cells carrying foreign antigens) and macrophages (eater cells capable of actively capturing and digesting bacteria, the remains of dead cells and other foreign or toxic particles for the body). The virus enters these cells and begins to multiply, thereby shortening the lifespan of the lymphocytes. If a person does not take any measures to combat HIV, then after 5-10 years immunity - the body's ability to withstand various diseases begins to gradually decrease and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) develops. The immune system weakens, that is, an immunodeficiency develops: a person is vulnerable to many opportunistic infections (these are infections caused by pathogens that do not cause disease in a person with normal immunity, but can be fatal for patients with severely reduced immunity). These include Pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis, candidiasis, shingles, etc.

Current treatments (called highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART) allow an HIV-positive person to maintain normal level immune defense, that is, they prevent the onset of the AIDS stage for a very long time.

AIDS is a reversible condition: when antiretroviral therapy is used, the concentration of the virus in the blood decreases, the number of immune cells increases, and the person's condition becomes asymptomatic.

Thus, treatment enables the HIV-positive person to live a long and full life... The person remains HIV positive, but AIDS does not develop. Treatment also reduces the risk of transmission of the virus, since its concentration in the blood is greatly reduced.

Treatment with a positive HIV status begins when the concentration of the virus in the blood increases sharply (up to one hundred thousand copies of the virus per milliliter of blood) or when less than two hundred CD4 lymphocytes remain in one milliliter of blood. Until this moment, the immune system of an HIV-positive person successfully resists various diseases, and there is no need to prescribe drugs.

How HIV is transmitted

HIV is transmitted through certain body fluids - those fluids in which the concentration of the virus is sufficient for infection and those that people exchange in one way or another: blood, semen and pre-ejaculate, vaginal and cervical secretions, breast milk.

Transmission ways:

  1. Unprotected sexual contact with a person infected with HIV.
  2. Blood - in - blood - with the joint use of drugs, general use non-sterile medical instruments.
  3. From mother to child, if the mother has HIV, and during pregnancy she is not monitored by a doctor, does not take prescribed medications, breastfeeds the child.

When did people first hear about HIV / AIDS?

Scientists believe that the first cases of HIV / AIDS infection occurred in the United States, Haiti and Africa in the mid-1970s. However, it can be assumed that the virus began to spread much earlier. To this day, no one knows for sure about the origin of this disease. But, nevertheless, the later stages of the epidemic were reliably recorded:

1979 - 1981- Doctors in New York and Los Angeles have noticed unusual immune disorders in a number of homosexual male patients. Doctors initially called the disease "gay-associated immunodeficiency," as the first cases of unknown immune dysfunction were noted only in gay men.

1982 year- The Centers for Disease Control in the United States introduced a new name to the disease registry - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). He was given a description in the United States and in Western Europe... The disease began to be officially monitored.

1982 - 1983- the connection between AIDS and blood transfusion, intravenous drug administration and congenital infections has been established. Also, scientific researchers and medical practitioners dwelt on the fact that AIDS is the result of a possible viral infection transmitted through sexual contact.

1984 year- in France, a virus was isolated, which was named "lymphadenopathy - associated virus", since it was found in patients with chronic enlargement of lymph nodes. At the same time, a virus was isolated in the United States, called "Human T - cell lymphotropic virus, type three", which was identical to the virus isolated in France. In the same year, the first studies showed that AIDS is widespread in Africa among people with heterosexual sex.

1984 year- Ryne White (USA, Indiana), a teenager with hemophilia, who became known to have AIDS, is expelled from school at the initiative of the parents of his classmates. Later, this case is presented as the most savage reaction to the epidemic on the part of society. Until the end of its short life this boy, with the support of his parents, tried to explain to the American society that AIDS is not transmitted through household contacts.

1985 year- the first clinical trials began in the USA drugs to combat HIV in a controlled setting.

1985 year- in the USSR, the first cases of AIDS were detected among foreign African students studying in Soviet universities.

1987 year- the USSR officially announced the registration of the first case of AIDS in a citizen of the country.

1991 year- 82 AIDS service organizations were opened in Russia.

1995 year- Adoption of the RF Law "On Preventing the Spread of HIV-Caused Disease in the RF".

1998 year- the development of effective drugs with minimal side effects that support the condition of the HIV-infected and prolong his life. Treatment with these drugs is called complex therapy (three - therapy). HIV positive person takes three or two different drugs simultaneously. After development complex therapy, experts do not recommend treatment with one drug.

Infection with HIV - infection: truth and misconceptions

Many people are afraid of contracting HIV through normal household contact. In fact, these fears are unfounded, and normal contact with people living with HIV / AIDS is completely safe. There are many myths around HIV infection: someone considers the disease to be the final sentence, someone is afraid to be near an HIV-positive person, mistakenly believing that HIV infection is transmitted through the air.

Myth 1: HIV positive person has a very different appearance

HIV - positive people are no different from ordinary people, because long time the disease does not manifest itself at all, in addition, HIV has no specific clinical signs... It is possible to find out a person's HIV status only with an appropriate examination.

Myth 2: HIV infection can be contracted in everyday life.

In fact, HIV is not transmitted by airborne droplets - that is, by coughing and sneezing, as well as by shaking hands and hugging with an HIV-positive person - intact skin serves as a reliable barrier to the virus. In addition, the virus degrades very quickly during external environment... Therefore, HIV is not transmitted through a towel, clothing, linens, dishes.

Myth 3: HIV can be spread through saliva, sweat and tears.

The virus can indeed be in these biological fluids, but the amount in them is small, so the risk of infection in normal conditions absent. For example, in order for the dose of the virus in saliva to become sufficient for infection, three liters of saliva are needed, if saliva is mixed with blood, then ten milliliters. If we talk about sweat, it takes a whole bath of sweat to get infected, and in case of tears, a whole pool.

Myth 4: you can get HIV in the pool, sauna.

As we said earlier, HIV is very unstable in the external environment and quickly degrades, therefore it is also impossible to become infected with HIV by such methods.

Myth 5: Children with HIV can infect healthy child at joint games, for example, with a bite. Therefore, such children should attend special kindergartens or schools, separate from healthy children.

Children don't bite each other that often. In addition, a lot of saliva is needed to infect HIV, which is probably why no such case of infection has been recorded in the entire history of the epidemic. All over the world, children living with HIV attend regular schools and kindergartens and should not be isolated from healthy children.

Myth 6: Mosquitoes transmit HIV through their bite

If this myth were true, then probably the entire population the globe would be infected with HIV. However, HIV cannot live and multiply in the body of a mosquito, in addition, there is too little virus on the mosquito's proboscis, this amount is clearly not enough for infection.

Myth 7: A pregnant woman who is infected with HIV will definitely infect her baby.

Indeed, such a route of HIV transmission exists. However, with modern development medicine correct treatment a pregnant woman reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to a child by up to 2-3%.

Myth 8: It is dangerous to be a donor - you can get HIV through transfusion of donor plasma

In terms of HIV infection, donating blood does not pose any danger to the donor. All manipulations are performed with strictly sterile medical instruments and in accordance with basic safety rules. There were no cases of infection during donation in Russia.

Adolescents and young people (10-24 years old) remain vulnerable to HIV infection. Teens are also exposed increased risk HIV infection through sexual contact and through injecting drug use. D 2013 Special attention it is proposed that policy issues be devoted to testing and counseling, treatment and care for HIV-infected adolescents.

TASS-DOSSIER. December 1 is celebrated annually as World AIDS Day. It was proclaimed in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the aim of drawing the world's attention to the need to combat this disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Spending the day

World AIDS Day organizes various events aimed at raising awareness of the population on HIV infection.

Until 2004, it was coordinated by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS, UNAIDS. The theme for the Day was then decided by the Global Steering Committee of the World AIDS Campaign, in consultation with representatives of civil society, organizations and government agencies involved in addressing HIV issues.

In 2014, UNAIDS launched the Accelerating Response to End AIDS campaign, which aims to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 (a target included in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in September 2015).

The themes of the Day are chosen for one or two years. In 2016, on the eve of it, the campaign "I am for! # HIV prevention" was launched, aimed at raising awareness of various aspects of prevention among such groups of the population as adolescent girls, young women, people at high risk, etc. In 2017, World Day the fight against AIDS is dedicated to the theme "My health, my right". The #myLegalHealth Campaign is about the need to ensure the realization of the right to health for all people around the world.

All AIDS-related activities and documents use the emblem designed in 1991 by American artist Frank Moore - the image of a red ribbon folded in the form of an inverted V.

HIV AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus infects immune system and weakens the body's defenses against a wide range of infections and diseases, including some types of cancer. HIV-infected people gradually develop immunodeficiency.

HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, contaminated blood transfusion, sharing contaminated needles, syringes, or other sharp instruments; and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

The last stage of the disease that develops when infected with a virus is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), when the human body loses its ability to defend itself against infections and tumors. AIDS can develop 2-15 years after infection.

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, treatment with antiretroviral drugs can control the virus, prevent transmission, and reduce the damaging effects on the body. This facilitates and prolongs the life of those infected with the infection.

The spread of HIV infection in the world

Some scientists believe that HIV was transmitted from monkeys to humans as early as the 1920s. The first victim of this disease may have been a man who died in 1959 in the Congo. This conclusion was reached by doctors who later analyzed his medical history.

For the first time, the symptoms of the disease characteristic of HIV infection were described in June 1981 in the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly" published by the US Centers for Disease Control. Cases of disease associated with immunodecitis were identified in the examination of men of nontraditional sexual orientation in clinics in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. In 1983, researchers from the United States and France described a virus that can cause HIV / AIDS. To designate the causative agent of this disease in 1985, WHO adopted the abbreviation HTLV-III / LAV, since 1987 it has been designated as HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus). Since 1985, HIV blood tests have become available in clinical laboratories.

According to WHO, at the beginning of 2017, there were about 36.7 million HIV-infected people in the world (of which 1.8 million were new cases of the virus that were detected in 2016). However, this is not complete data. It is estimated that only 70% of people with HIV are currently aware of their status. The most unfavorable region is sub-Saharan Africa, where about two-thirds of all infected people live - about 25.6 million people (in 2016).

As of June 2017, an average of 20.9 million people living with HIV (of which approximately 43% are children) had access to antiretroviral treatment globally. Through the proliferation specific treatment Over the past 11 years, it has been possible to reduce the death rate from AIDS-related diseases by about 48% - from a peak of 1.9 million people in 2005 to 1 million in 2016.

Nonetheless, HIV remains a major global health problem. According to WHO, by the beginning of 2017, about 35 million people became victims of the virus.

HIV in Russia

The first case of the disease in our country was detected in 1987 in Moscow. Since 2006, Russia has seen an annual increase in the number of new cases of virus infection by an average of 10%. HIV-infected people are registered in all 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

In order to prevent the development of the epidemic in October 2016, the Russian government approved the State Strategy for Counteracting the Spread of HIV Infection for the period up to 2020 and beyond. Since 2016, with the support of federal ministries and departments, Russian Orthodox Church, companies "Russian Railways", "Aeroflot" and other organizations, the all-Russian action "Stop HIV / AIDS" is being held.

According to Federal Service on supervision of consumer protection and human welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), at the beginning of 2017, 870,952 Russians lived with HIV / AIDS - almost 0.6% of the country's population (146 million 804 thousand 372). In total, since 1987, 1 million 114 thousand 815 cases of HIV infection have been detected among citizens of the Russian Federation, of which 243 thousand 863 people have died.

In 2016, 103 thousand 438 new cases of HIV infection were registered (excluding those identified anonymously and foreign citizens) - 5.3% more than in 2015 (95 thousand 475). High level Infection with the immunodeficiency virus is observed in 30 large constituent entities of the Russian Federation, in which 45.3% of the country's population live. The most unfavorable regions, where the number of people living with HIV exceeds one thousand people per 100 thousand of the population, are: Sverdlovsk (1647.9 people per 100 thousand of the population), Irkutsk (1636), Kemerovo (1582.5), Samara (1476, 9), Orenburg (1217) region, Khanty-Mansi autonomous region(1201.7), as well as Leningrad (1147.3), Tyumen (1085.4), Chelyabinsk (1079.6) and Novosibirsk (1021.9) regions. Cases of infection of children continue to be detected with breastfeeding: 41 children were infected in 2014, 47 children in 2015, 59 in 2016.

Dispensary in specialized medical organizations in 2016, there were 675 thousand 403 patients (77.5% of all living in the Russian Federation with a diagnosis of HIV / AIDS). Of these, 285 thousand 920 patients received antiretroviral therapy (42.3% of those registered).

Every year on December 1, World AIDS Day is celebrated, adopted in 1988. This day is not a public holiday, but for everyone who is actively fighting the fatal syndrome, it is a very important and serious date. The event does not bear the character of a grandiose holiday, since this day is dedicated not only to preventive measures, but also the memory of victims of a dangerous disease.

What is AIDS?

AIDS - progressive viral disease which makes the body vulnerable to serious infections. For the first time, the deadly virus was registered on June 5, 1981 by scientists from America. Despite the fact that more than 30 years have passed, no one has yet succeeded in defeating the disease. Unfortunately, in Russia AIDS is already an epidemic and the only way protect yourself - carefully follow all preventive measures. Anyone can be tested for AIDS. mandatory an analysis to determine the virus is given by pregnant women and persons who are to undergo surgery.

AIDS is spreading with catastrophic progression and today the number of cases has reached 52 million. The immunodeficiency virus affects both asocial persons and those who have become infected due to their own negligence. Most of the sick are the working-age population under 50. The fight against this epidemic is dedicated to World AIDS Day as a reminder that dangerous disease always somewhere near.

The history of the appearance of the holiday

The idea to celebrate AIDS Day belongs to the staff of the World Health Organization James Bunnon and Thomas Netter. The proposal was announced in 1987 and came into force in 1988.

Why is AIDS Day held on December 1st? The Americans held elections this year, which were actively discussed in the media and fed up with the order of citizens. The public wanted new events, so the success of AIDS Day was guaranteed.

Initially, on December 1, special attention was paid to working with young people and the younger generation. But, since the disease spread around the world at an astronomical speed, it was decided to bring maximum information to representatives of all ages. Indeed, as numerous studies have shown, not all adults have an accurate understanding of AIDS and measures to prevent it.

In 1996, the United Nations HIV / AIDS Organization (UNAIDS) was organized to fight AIDS and was entrusted with the coordination and planning of this special date. There is also a representative office of this organization in Russia.

Traditions

On the Day of Fight Against AIDS, December 1, thematic seminars, lectures, all kinds of actions and exhibitions are organized, the task of which is to convey to the society the whole globality and seriousness of the problem. The organizers are charitable foundations, research and scientific centers, social movements. By visiting these events, you will learn all the truth and myths about the disease, the ways of its transmission and, most importantly, prevention. Also, the organizers are faced with the task of building loyalty to all AIDS patients, for whom the diagnosis should not become a reason to be excluded from society.

A special place on this day is occupied by educational work in educational institutions... Experts provide young generation maximum information about the disease, focusing on the mandatory use of quality contraceptives. Students are involved in the production of thematic wall newspapers, posters, presentations.

In many large cities on December 1, you can observe mobile stations for blood sampling, where everyone can take a rapid HIV test. Often, promotions are organized for the free distribution of contraceptives. And even if this is only a small fraction of what can be done in order to prevent the spread of the disease, all this will certainly help someone and make them think.

On World AIDS Day, television programs dedicated to this global problem of all mankind are broadcast on television, documentaries, talk show. Active participation in the fight against the plague 20-21 c. are hosted by show business stars and media personalities. Music videos and videos focusing on the problem are being shot on the topic of AIDS. Many charitable foundations grants are regularly allocated for research activities aimed at finding new effective measures for the fight against AIDS. At conferences, scientists share among themselves valuable experience and new progressive discoveries.

Holiday symbol

The symbol of the fight against AIDS has become a red ribbon, which today can be seen on all information carriers related to the disease. The attribute of understanding and support for all AIDS patients appeared in 1991 based on a sketch by the American artist Frank Moore. This idea came from the man as a result of watching a neighbor's family don yellow ribbons as a symbol of the hope of the return of their daughter, a soldier from the Persian Gulf. Frank Moore suggested that such a ribbon, only red, could become a symbol of the fight against the disease and voiced his idea to the group "Visual AIDS", consisting of professional artists.

The artist's idea was also approved at the 45th Tony Awards, held on June 2, 2000. a red ribbon resembling an inverted english letter"V" has become the official symbol of the fight against AIDS. All those present at the event put on this memorable attribute, launching a worldwide action of memory and confrontation. The laconic red ribbon very quickly earned its popularity, it is worn not only on December 1, but also at all events where the topic of AIDS is relevant.

(World AIDS Day) is celebrated annually around the world. This Day has become one of the most important international days related to health issues and a key opportunity to raise awareness, pay tribute to those who died from the disease, and celebrate achievements such as increased access to treatment and prevention.

All over the world today they talk about AIDS, about what a threat to the existence of mankind this global epidemic poses, about the scale of this tragedy, about the fact that this plague of 20, and now already 21 centuries threatens the existence of mankind ... and, of course, about how to stop the global spread of the HIV / AIDS epidemic.

1981, the American Center for Disease Control registered a new disease - AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

World AIDS Day was first celebrated on 1 December 1988, following a call for social tolerance and increased sharing of information on HIV / AIDS at a meeting of ministers of health from all countries.

This International Day, celebrated each year, serves to strengthen organized efforts to combat the HIV and AIDS pandemic spreading across all regions of the world. Organized efforts are aimed at strengthening public support for HIV / AIDS prevention programs, organizing training and providing information on all aspects of HIV / AIDS.

Realizing the ever-increasing complexities associated with the HIV / AIDS pandemic, the UN formed in 1996 a union of six global organizations. Called the Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS), the program is sponsoring this joint project United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), The World Organization Health (WHO) and the World Bank.

UNAIDS supports long-term global HIV and AIDS prevention projects; assists in the fight for human rights regardless of HIV status, assists countries around the world through prevention education, support for HIV / AIDS research and work with programs to expand the international front to fight HIV / AIDS.

According to the organization, today more than 35 million people aged 15 to 49 are infected with HIV.

World AIDS Day has become an annual event in most countries. Although December 1 has been designated as the date for the Day, many communities organize a number of events during the weeks and days before and after the official celebration.

The symbol of the fight against AIDS is the red ribbon; not a single action in this area is complete today without it. This ribbon was conceived in the spring of 1991 as a symbol of understanding AIDS. Its idea belongs to the artist Frank Moore. He lived in a provincial New York state town where a neighboring family wore yellow ribbons, hoping for the safe return of their soldier daughter from the Persian Gulf.

Ribbons first appeared as a symbol during the Gulf War. The green ribbons, similar to the non-inverted V, have become a symbol of the experiences of the Atlanta child killings. The artist decided that the ribbon could be a metaphor for AIDS as well.

The idea was accepted by the "Visual AIDS" group. Since the organization consisted of professional artists and art managers, advertising a visible symbol of the fight against AIDS was done very well. It all started very simply. Here is an excerpt from an early Visual AIDS flyer: “Cut a red tape 6 centimeters long, then fold at the top to form an inverted V. Use safety pin to attach it to your clothes. "

The Red Ribbon project was officially launched at the 45th Annual 2000 Tony Awards. All nominees and participants were invited (and quite successfully) to pin such tapes. According to a press release announcing the Red Ribbon Project: “The red ribbon (inverted V) will symbolize our compassion, support and hope for an AIDS-free future. The biggest hope associated with this project is that by December 1st, World day the fight against AIDS, these ribbons will be worn all over the world. "

And the red ribbon has gained immense popularity. Even though outright AIDS phobia was at its peak, red ribbons increasingly appeared on the cuffs of jackets, the brim of hats - wherever you could pin a safety pin. Over the next few years, ribbons became part of the dress code for a select few, not only at Tony's ceremonies, but at the Oscars and Emmy Awards as well.

Trouble came and more every day
Trying to take away our mortal lives,
It burns inside us with fire!
And he certainly longs for a new victim!

World AIDS Day to us
Appointed as an excuse to wake up in an instant!
In spite of the terrible disease and enemies
Seriously look around!