The Red Pump Project

National Women/Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is today and I'm dedicating this blog post to The Red Pump Project. HIV/AIDS is near and dear to my heart. The number of women, especially African-Americans, affected by the disease has grown drastically in the last several years. It's necessary to bring this issue to the forefront and continue discussing it until it's talked about in every household.

Today, over 100 bloggers are dedicating posts to the issue of HIV/AIDS. One of my Twitter connections, @thefabgiver, initiated this project along with a friend. Visit her website for a list of other bloggers participating in the project. While we're highlighting this disease today, The Red Pump Project hopes to continue its presence as a resource for information on how HIV/AIDS affect women. Together we can end this disease by educating one another.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2006 over 1 million people were living with HIV/AIDS and almost 300,000 of them were women. For women between the ages of 25-44, HIV is the 5th leading cause of death. Most of these women, 80% to be exact, contract HIV through high-risk heterosexual contact. These statics are three years old, which means more women have been diagnosed with the disease since the CDC's last reporting. The CDC lists several things women can do to take control of this disease. The first includes getting tested regularly. I'll also add that women should be prepared and carry contraceptives with them at all times. I recently read a feature in Essence Magazine and several men mentioned it's a turn-off when women carry condoms. If a man says this, it should be an automatic red flag.

It's simple, educate yourself, educate others and together we can stop this disease in its tracks. Let's work together now before the numbers continue to rise.

Women, start making your Moves today!