Turning Compassion into Action for National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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Today is National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NAPIHAAD). This year's theme is “After a quarter century of HIV, compassion isn't enough—Take action now!” I spoke with David Stupplebeen of the Banyan Tree Project (“BTP” - the partnership that plans and implements the day) about what you can do to turn compassion into action for NAPIHAAD and beyond.
David told me that BTP is continuing to use new media with Dr. Sanjay GuptaExit Disclaimer which talks about stigma in the Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) community.
David shared several key ways you can help turn compassion into action such as getting tested for HIV, getting information from your doctor or service providers about HIV, talking to your friends, family and community about HIV, and volunteering to make a difference in the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS. You can also help get the word out about NAPIHAAD:
- Put a button or public service announcement on your homepage: BTP has a variety of web badges and bannersExit Disclaimer from YouTube on your homepage.
- Learn more about HIV in the A&PI community: check out the CDC's fact sheet for information on the increasing rates of HIV and AIDS among the A&PI community.
- Attend an event: There are events happening nationwide. To find the one closest to you, please visit BTP's events pageExit Disclaimer.
- Tweet about NAPIHAAD events and information: If you are on Twitter, BTP encourages you to follow themExit Disclaimer and use â#may19âExit Disclaimer in your tweets about NAPIHAAD so everyone can follow the conversation.
- Become a fan or friend of BTP: on MySpaceExit Disclaimer and FacebookExit Disclaimer!
David and I talked about where he sees BTP's new media efforts going next. He told me he hopes to get BTP on Flickr on June 8 and National HIV Testing Day on June 27.
BTP clearly values using all available communication tools to reach the A&PI community, and others, with HIV information. I left my conversation with David asking myself: Learning from this observance of NAPIHAAD, how might we all continue to communicate in new ways about HIV Awareness Days? What do you think?