World AIDS Day 2009

Started on 01 December 1988, with each year, World AIDS Day increases awareness, while fighting prejudice & improving individual’s educations. The World AIDS Day 2009 focuses on ‘Universal Access & Human Rights’.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.1

A vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children & gay, bisexual, heterosexual and transgender individuals on all continents around the world.

Traditionally on 01 December, in memory of those who went before us & those who are sitting next to us, I visit the San Francisco General Hospital’s Impatient AID Ward 5A – B.

Question: “WHY?”
Answer: “Because it’s important for an individual to know that SOMEONE CARES!”

Each year, I bike around town collecting shampoo, toothbrushes, lotion, bath salts, deodorant, cookies, echinechea, chocolate, green tea, soy milk. water, ankle socks, Probars, and then some, from my yoga students, friends, co-workers & enemies. … (But this year, I’ve convinced everyone to “bring the donations to designated locations.”).

Following the collection of the donated items, I access the products & divide them into individual care packages (taking note of what would supplement each gift package). Having an idea of what would make each bag complete, I rush off to Trader Joe’s and get individually wrapped items. And then, depending on budget, I visit the San Francisco Flower Market for gift bags & flowers.

And then, on World AIDS Day, 01 December, in the hopes of making their day a bit brighter, I deliver donated gift bags to individuals who have been confronted with the AIDS Pandemic – letting them know, that “YES, we care.”

As the holiday season begins & the end of the year approaches, we begin to contemplate our New Year’s Resolutions. We reflect on Xmas Past, Xmas Present, and Xmas Future. We may even contemplate our purpose in life. And, if we’re really lucky, we’ll begin to think of others (a practice of Karma Yoga).

World AIDS Day –

*Question: Can You:

1. Purchase / donate some individually wrapped kleenex tissues ?
2. Dig up all those hotel soap & body lotion samples?
3. Recycle that box of tea you never opened?
4. Dump that ugly present from your brother?
5. Think about what you might want to have if residing in a hospital?
6. Hit the Trader Joe’s sale rack and make a donation?

*If the answer is YES! – then either:

• a. Click the “ynot logo” (above) to arrange a drop off / pick up of your donated items
• b. Drop off you donated items at a designated drop off area.

• 24 November 2009 & 28 November 2009 (quiertly during yoga class time slot)
  
• James Howell Studio
• 6:00 – 7:30pm.
• Duboce Park Area – San Francisco
• 66 1/2 Sanchez Street (between Duboce Park & the Castro)
• – San Francisco [map]

• 22 thru 29 November 2009 (Leave at Club One front desk for Tony Eason).
  
• Yoga at Club One – Yerba Buena
• 6:15 – 7:45 pm.
• 350 Third Street – San Francisco [map]

*And if the answer was NO, then see if you can do something special (without being asked) for your own community, you friends, a non profit charity, a stranger …….

1. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee
2. Pump the gas for the person in front of you
3. Call your mother and tell her thank you.
4. Instead of going out to dinner, donate the funds to charity . . .
5. Go clean your neighbor’s kitchen ….
7. Give the babysitter “the day off paid.”
8. Ask your mailman his name.

World AIDS Day Links:

World AIDS Campaign
World AIDS Day
National AIDS Memorial Grove
AIDS Photo Stories
AIDS Through the Eyes of Children
General Hospital – AIDS Ward #86
World AIDS Day Bike Rides

AIDS Rides:

• The Smart Ride
• The Empire State AIDS Ride
• Ride for AIDS Chicago
• AIDS Walk + Ride
• AIDS Foundation of Chicago
• Act 6 – The Wisconsin AIDS Ride Ride 4 AIDS
• New Jersey – Ride Against AIDS
• STAP – Ride for Life
• Hill Country Ride for AIDS
• The Lone Star Ride
• Red Ribbon Ride
• Braking the Cycle
• An Invitation to Oprah Winfrey