Tomorrow is Thursday, December 1, 2011. Do you know what that means? Yes, it does mark the first day of ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” countdown to Christmas (and it also marks the end of their completely unnecessary countdown to the “25 Days of Christmas” countdown to Christmas). But, contrary to popular belief, there’s actually something much bigger—and much more important—going on tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Thursday, December 1, 2011. Do you know what that means? Yes, it does mark the first day of ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas” countdown to Christmas (and it also marks the end of their completely unnecessary countdown to the “25 Days of Christmas” countdown to Christmas). But, contrary to popular belief, there’s actually something much bigger—and much more important—going on tomorrow.
December 1 is World AIDS Day. Across the globe, millions of people will work together to fight the ongoing battle against HIV. It’s a day dedicated to raising up and fortifying those living with the virus through heartfelt encouragement and active advocacy. It’s also a day to remember the millions of people who have died since the first case of HIV was diagnosed in June of 1981.
At 12PM tomorrow, hundreds of Richmonders will join the rest of the world in commemorating the victims—living and dead—of HIV through a communal act of hope and faith, on Brown’s Island. This simple yet sure-to-be powerful human art installation, so to speak, called RVA Remembers, will last only nine minutes and 30 seconds—the frighteningly short amount of time that passes before another doctor will diagnose another American with HIV. For that brief moment, volunteers will hold 400 red umbrellas up toward the sky to form the universally recognized symbol of support for those affected by HIV and AIDS—the AIDS ribbon.
Thanks to Fan Free Clinic, Richmond’s first and leading free healthcare clinic, RVA Remembers will be an enormous message, both literally and figuratively, to the Richmond community and to the world that the war wages on against HIV, and that even though the battle is not yet won, we have only just begun to fight. Since 1968, Fan Free Clinic has been “welcoming the least served” in the Richmond community, and more importantly, they’ve been doing it with a philosophy of courtesy and compassion for all human beings. From general medicine, to mental health counseling, to pregnancy and HIV testing, FFC provides a vast variety of healthcare options for those who can’t otherwise afford the treatment they need. Beyond medical services, FFC also offers health education programs (the clinic has lead the way in HIV/STD education and awareness since its inception), a Food Pantry Project, assistance in housing stabilization and accessing available public aid options, and referrals to any outside service providers necessary.
Now, on the 30th anniversary of the first diagnosis of HIV—one of the most devastating pandemics the world has ever seen and one that is still destroying lives to this day—Fan Free Clinic is asking the community it has served for so long to give back in honor of World AIDS Day. RVA Remembers is tomorrow, but there’s still time to donate or volunteer or at least stop by Brown’s Island to snap a picture of the memorial, or kick it with Kiss FM radio. There will be bottled water, coffee, and HOT CHOCOLATE! In case of rain, FFC says to wear galoshes! There will be plenty of umbrellas present, obviously, but I already checked and the chance of precipitation is a whopping zero percent. And don’t try to use parking as an excuse either, because FFC has taken care of that too! If RVA Remembers just isn’t gonna happen for you, don’t fret, my little community do-gooders! Volunteers are what keep Fan Free Clinic rolling, and there are plenty of other ways to contribute as well.
Perhaps the easiest way to do your part in the global fight against HIV and AIDS is to educate yourself and others in more ways than one. Know the facts: According to RVA Remembers, there are 23,000 Virginians living with HIV/AIDS and as of 2009, Virginia ranked 13th out of all 50 states in the number of AIDS diagnoses since the inception of the epidemic. Dispel the myths: HIV doesn’t just infect gay men. It isn’t a sure sign of sexual promiscuity and ostracizing the people who have it won’t prevent you from getting it. The decision to get tested is a responsible precautionary action; it is not an admission of guilt, and even though the results of testing at FFC are completely confidential, it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Stigmas and stereotypes are threats to the education and prevention efforts surrounding HIV/AID,S and sadly, victims of the virus are often also victims of loneliness and disenfranchisement. This World AIDS Day, no matter what your politics, religion, or views, join Fan Free Clinic and hundreds of others in an opportunity to serve the least served through reminiscence, recognition, and respect at RVA Remembers.
