World AIDS Day – The Power of One

Today is the 20th annual World AIDS Day, a day set aside to
remember those who have died of HIV/AIDS and those who are living
with HIV/AIDS. It’s also a day to remind ourselves that we all are
affected by this disease. Today, many of us are wearing red ribbon
pins. Many of us have placed red ribbon photos on social networking
sites. Many of us will be attending HIV/AIDS breakfasts or
seminars. Many of us are blogging about HIV/AIDS.

Do any of these events really matter? Roughly 35 million people
worldwide are infected. 14,000 people become newly infected every
day. Will wearing a red ribbon or attending a breakfast change
that? Sometimes, the pessimist in me says no. But then I look
around at the various activities going on and think differently.
Never underestimate the power of small actions. Never underestimate
the power of one.

At Davidson College, groups of students are making a difference.
For several years now, the members of Warner Hall, a women’s eating
house at Davidson, have hosted the Red and Black Ball, a charity
event for HIV/AIDS. This year, the proceeds will benefit Metrolina
AIDS Project in Charlotte and Thyatira
Hospital in Mwandi. The members of Warner Hall also help Metrolina
AIDS Project in other ways. Recently, I joined them on a Saturday
morning to make condom packets – small bags containing condoms and
information about getting tested for HIV – to be distributed at
local bars and clubs.



Students at Davidson College make condom packets for
Metrolina AIDS Project

This effort, though, is not solely an extracurricular activity. In
a mutually beneficial partnership, the students in my Biology
course on HIV/AIDS cooperate with Warner Hall on some of these
projects. Together, we have sponsored screenings of movies like 3
Needles, volunteered at a local HIV/AIDS benefit triathlon,
collected toys for the annual Metrolina AIDS Project holiday party,
and organized speakers and symposia. Academic and extracurricular
activities are wonderfully joined.



Volunteers getting ready for their assignments at a triathlon
to benefit Metrolina AIDS Project

None of these events, individually or even in total, will end the
AIDS Pandemic. But each and every one of these events does make a
difference. Maybe one person will receive a condom packet and, as a
result, not become infected. Maybe the money sent to Mwandi will
help provide care for a child in need. Maybe one person who listens
to a seminar will enter a career of public service. Maybe all of us
will be a little more aware.

Today, I’m wearing my red ribbon. Today, I’m blogging about
HIV/AIDS. Today, I’m attending an HIV/AIDS breakfast. Today, in
some small way, some almost imperceptible way, I’m making a
difference. We all can make a difference. Never underestimate the
power of one.