National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAD)
.jpg "National HIV AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAD)") |
I once viewed HIV and AIDS as existing remote from my existence.
I had felt as though the affectation had been avoided by me personally, i.e., that I had "dodged the bullet" so to speak until that fateful day that I learned in my late fifties that my childhood best friend had passed from the diease when we were 40 or so.
This ended my search for him abruptly and sadly for I understood the suffering he endured toward the end and he was a fine, polite, well-read, and urbane man who brought a lot to the table as it were whenever he was present and whatever he was doing.
Though I have been accused of being homophobic more than once — and despite the fact that I have spoken disdainfully of all things queer on multiple occasions, despite knowing those disease vectors —
That remorse of missing my chance to speak with him one last time remains with me to this day.
Today is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAD) which is held each September 18th under the auspices of The AIDS Institute.
It's focus are those risks and challenges facing an ever aging population regarding the prevention of HIV, it's testing, and therapeutics for those who may become infected with the viruses which cause AIDS.
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