Taking place on the 1st of December each year. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.
Currently over 105,000 people are living with HIV here in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition.
Despite this, each year in the UK over 4,000 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.
The UK government has a target, to eliminate new HIV infections by 2030. But we can only do this by working hard to educate people, encourage more testing, condom use, treatment as protection, (also known as U=U), and the use of PrEP.
You can find out more about HIV, how to protect yourself and where and when to get tested by visiting https://www.startswithme.org.uk/
To mark World AIDS Day 2022, the following buildings, monuments and places of interest across Lancashire will be lit red to raise awareness and show support in the fight against HIV.
Blackpool Tower
Preston Undercover Market
County Hall – Preston
Ashton Memorial – Lancaster
Marine Hall – Fleetwood
Charity Events happening in Lancashire
Wednesday 30th November
Healthier Living at @RenaissanceDLL and Lancashire PrEP Workers are hosting a World AIDS Day Charity Night at The Market Tavern in Preston 7pm – 1.30am.
A chance to raise not only awareness, but to raise funds for the Renaissance UK hardship fund which supports those living with and affected by HIV across the county during times of crisis.
In the last 12 months, the hardship fund has supported a young female HIV Client, with 4 children who had housing difficulty, with temporary accommodation. We supported a young family with school uniform costs, and supported an male HIV Client with rent charges when they were admitted to hospital.
The Renaissance UK hardship fund receives no external funding and relies on donations and fundraising activities. Anyone can donate to the hardship fund through our website donate button at the top of the home page www.Ren-UK.com
Flying Handbag Charity Night
The Flying Handbag, Queen Street Blackpool will be hosting its annual World AIDS Day Charity Night on Thursday the 1st December 2022.
Local cabaret artists and entertainers from across the county will be giving up their time to perform to raise funds for the Renaissance UK hardship fund which supports those living with and affected by HIV across the county during times of crisis.
There will be a raffle on the night with some amazing prizes donated by local business, including Basil Newby’s Funny Girls, The Bank Bar and Grill, The Sandcastle Water Park, Fisherman’s Friend, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool Football Club and many many more
All hosted by resident DJ Miss Amber, a night of spectacular entertainment and fundraising awaits you. All from 8pm.
Where are we Now in the fight to end new HIV Diagnosis by 2030?
Prevent
The best way to prevent HIV and other STI’s is condom use. Condoms are provided free in Lancashire by Healthier Living at Renaissance UK through our Sexual Health Outreach service, our keyworkers, at events and through our postal service, which you can sign up to on our website by visiting www.ren-uk.com/postal-condom-service
In addition to condom use, there is now a medication that can prevent HIV. PrEP is available from Sexual Health Clinics, and it’s Free Find out more at www.BePrEPed.co.uk
Test
Testing for HIV is free and simple. You can attend any sexual health clinic for a free screen in Lancashire by calling 0300 1234 154 or get a free postal kit to complete at home by visiting www.lancashiresexualhealth.nhs.uk/testing-options
In Blackburn with Darwen, please visit BROOK BLACKBURN or call
You can also call our sexual health practitioners for advice and guidance
on testing and where to get a test on 01253 311431
Treatment
Those that receive a diagnosis of HIV, or are already living with the condition, will be prescribed medication to manage their HIV. This medication can supress the virus so successfully that the person soon becomes UNDETECTABLE. This means that you are no longer able to pass the virus on to anyone else. We call this U = U – Undetectable Equals Untransmitable Find out more about our HORIZON and Healthier Living Services on our website.
