Publish date: 30 November 2022
Each year Deborah Klayman from the West London Forensics team arranges a cake sale for staff and patients on World Aids Day to promote HIV/Aids awareness. We asked Deborah to share what World Aids Day means to her.
Why is World Aids day important to you?
World AIDS Day is an important opportunity every year to remember the millions lost to HIV since the start of the epidemic, both in the UK and globally. It is also an excellent time to raise awareness about a condition that still has so much stigma and misinformation associated with it.
A lot of people still don’t disclose HIV status because of people’s reaction, and that can include our patients, colleagues or loved ones. For some reason there is still this fear factor around HIV/AIDS which I don’t think is the case with any other health condition - we need to end that stigma, and World AIDS Day is the perfect time to do that.
Has someone you know been personally been affected by HIV/Aids and what could we do to raise awareness on World Aids Day?
I know several people who are living with HIV, in particular one of my best friends. He is in really good health and enjoying his life – he is undetectable so it has little effect on his day to day. So many people don’t realise if someone is undetectable that they cannot pass the virus on, or that there are medications such as PrEP that prevent transmission.
We have moved on since the days of the 80s terrifying adverts, HIV is now a very manageable condition and people can live a normal life. My friend has had huge support from the Terrence Higgins Trust over the years with both physical and mental health, and I am delighted to fundraise for them alongside the National AIDS Trust. Both organisations have been combatting HIV/AIDS and supporting those living with the conditions for forty years, and do absolutely vital work.
What is your message to people on World Aids day?
We can all play a role in tackling stigma this World AIDS Day by telling as many people as possible about the realities of HIV, which is a totally manageable condition for most people.
Perhaps one thing Covid has given us is a better understanding of viruses, transmission and how quickly science can move on. Don’t be stuck in the past with information you remember about HIV/AIDS – read about the fantastic improvements in care and treatment that have been going on so that you can support patients, friends and loved ones who may be or know someone living with a positive status.
#RocktheRibbon, buy a raffle ticket or a cake, and help these wonderful charities continue their vital, life-changing work