World AIDS day is held every year on 1st December, to show support to those living with HIV, to reduce HIV stigma and to commemorate those we have lost to HIV. This year Sahir House will be doing that by bathing some of Merseyside’s best-known landmarks in red.
In the UK, the total number of people newly diagnosed with HIV continued to decrease in 2019, 10% lower than 2018 however, we see a 3% increase in HIV care.
By lighting landmarks in the city and surrounding boroughs red we are joining together to raise awareness. Red represents the Red Ribbon, a symbol of compassion and support for people living with HIV. We are sending out a positive message that as a community we can challenge and remove the stigma that still surrounds HIV and acknowledge the progress around treatment and prevention.
One of the iconic buildings to be lit will be the Radio City Tower, St Johns Beacon.
Vicki Allison, Station Director at Radio City, said: “Radio City is proud to get involved and turn our tower lights to red to support this on December 1st. Red symbolising the Red Ribbon, shining a light on our city, showing support to those affected by the virus.”
How you can get involved
Over the past three decades award winning charity Sahir House have been providing care, support and practical assistance to people living with HIV, their partners, carers, dependants and improving public education in connection with the effects of HIV in the Merseyside area.
This year, you can support them and this year’s World AIDS Day activities by Rocking the Red Ribbon to everything you do: a virtual quiz, wearing a red ribbon physically or virtually on your social media profile pictures, or collecting money in return for red ribbons. It all makes a difference.
You can also visit the Sahir House World AIDS Day page here, where you can:
- Download the World AIDS Day Campaign pack, which is full of ideas on what you can do this year to support the campaign
- Find out where to test and Know your HIV status this World AIDS Day
- Champion HIV testing and support our twitter campaign #HIVChampions
- Download one of the World AIDS Day screensavers available to use freely
- Get creative and create a piece of art for the Rock the Red Ribbon Art Competition
- Tune into the Sahir House Virtual World AIDS Day Vigil on December 1st at 2pm on the Sahir House YouTube Channel (This will be a live launch and will include the remembrance list on this occasion only. The event will be available to view on the Sahir House YouTube channel after the launch but in an edited format.)
For more information on supporting this year’s World AIDS Day on Merseyside, visit: https://sahir.org.uk/what-we-do/health-promotion/world-aids-day/
Let’s Rock the Red Ribbon together.
