Reflections on World AIDS Day 2024

For the past 37 years, every December 1 is World AIDS Day.

It's a day of remembrance and reflection, and also it’s a day of celebration because we want to remember and reflect on the people who have come before —  those early friends, patients and family who have made sacrifices to help us get where we are.

Where we are today is we’ve made huge advances in terms of both treatment and prevention. So we want to commemorate and celebrate and acknowledge that.

Noted artist Ramon Santiago provided artwork for a flyer announcing a fundraiser in 1983. Provided by Dr. Bill Valenti.

The future also is bright if we can stay focused and continue to do the job, both here at home and globally to make drugs available to people for prevention and treatment. Get people in care, keep them in care, get the message out.

Personally, on this World AIDS Day, I want to acknowledge, celebrate and commemorate our community response to HIV and AIDS over these many years.

It really does take a whole community coming together, pulling in the same direction to get the job done.

So I thank you, my friends.