I havent blogged in quite a while, and that is because I feel like i havent had anything too important or imperative to say.

Let me start off by telling you that I am not an expert in any particular field.  I take an interest in many different things and find beauty in different cultures, countries, events, etc.. you get the point.  However, there is one issue I am particularly passionate about, and that is HIV/AIDS.  For a number of years, I have been an active supporter in the fight to cure this virus.  Obviously there have been tremendous strides towards antibodies and some sort of resolution to this life threatening illness, but it seems as though we are now backpeddling on a much different path.

It has not gone unnoticed that there are millions of people dying daily from AIDS, but what has slipped under the radar is what is happening as we speak to beyond millions of Americans, let alone everyone in the world that is somehow impeded with HIV. 

Several states within the U.S. have decided to drop special funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.  This particular program has helped people who cannot afford the costly drugs they need to survive.  When the program was in place, patients would paid an annual fee of $12,000.  Now compare this to the price that a patient will have to pay (without the program) that takes JUST 6 of the 101 medications available… $4,500 a MONTH.  $4,500 x 12months = $54,000 per month.  Thats more than most people make in a year! Imagine someone who needs 10 pills a day, and believe me, there are people out there who do!  If this is the case for Americans, think about those in Africa, India, South America who live on a penny profit.

The probability now of HIV turning into full blown AIDS is like the probability of an infant shitting its pants.  Its going to happen.  This, in turn, increases the probability of spreading the virus.

I understand that there are a lot of factors that play into this issue.  Budgets, money, patents, and so many other things.  But let me give you some statistics…

- There are 1 million people IN THE US that are infected with HIV/AIDS.

- 40,000 Americans are infected each year.

- At least HALF of all new infections are people under the age of 25.

Now, let me briefly inform  you of something else.  There have been 2 hospitals across the country who have recently released statements to inform some of their patients that they MAY have come in contact with HIV and Hepititis.  Oh, and by some, i mean nearly 4,000 people.  These hospitals are in Missouri and Virginia, And if you were wondering how they might have spread the virus - it was through dental tools and colonoscopies.

Does anyone else think that it is weird that the government would like to cut the budget on the driving force to keep people alive, however, a government sponsored facility may have accidently given the virus to thousands of people? It seems that this epidemic is straight out silly to them. 

These are our friends, our parents, siblings, children, uncles, aunts, cousins.  You tell me you dont know anyone who has this virus and I will tell you that you are wrong.  I have worked in an HIV/AIDS rehab hospital.  I have seen the faces of those suffering and I have lost many of those patients to this virus.  It is not something you just drop funding on.

This is my pledge to you, and I have only told those closest to me of my new endeavor.

I am starting a non-profit organization to benefit the families of those infected.  Life is not easy, let alone when you feel like yours is a ticking clock, so this chairty will be to show those who are infected and their families and friends that there is still good in the world, and that someone does care about whats going on.

Details to follow…

oh yea, and here are the articles that made me cringe and therefore inspired me to unleash in a blog..

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/us/01aidsdrugs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=health

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2010/06/30/hiv.veterans.hospital.cnn

http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/30/why-hiv-exposure-at-hospital-may-have-happened/

thanks for listening.

xoxo