World AIDS Day 2008: The Power of YOU
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December 1 marked the 20th annual observance of World AIDS DayExit Disclaimer. At HIV.gov, we used several new media tools to commemorate this day. We invited you to blog, to upload photos of yourself wearing a red ribbon to social network sites, and to join us in the virtual world of Second Life. But today’s blog post is not so much about what we did—it’s about YOU.
Facing AIDS
We asked you to help reduce HIV stigma by posting a photo of yourself wearing a red ribbon to your online social networks--showing that you care about HIV/AIDS and helping to promote HIV testing.
How YOU responded
You responded in full force. Nearly 700 of you joined the Facebook groupExit Disclaimer, and 460 RSVP’d for the Facebook eventExit Disclaimer In addition nearly 200 of you posted photos to the FlickrExit Disclaimer group. You passed the word to your friends, and you posted discussions and comments about what World AIDS Day means to you. Avatars in Second Life, drag queens in England, and our parents in the Midwest sent us photos. Our colleagues at the CDC took great initiative in generating a workplace photo response--even CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding uploaded a photo! One of you took a photo of the Empire State building lit up with red lights, and another submitted a photo of your son who died of an AIDS-related illness. Some of the photos are below - and we encourage you to visit our Flickr page to see many more. Also, if you haven’t already, it’s not too late to upload your photo!Bloggers Unite
We partnered with NIDA to encourage bloggers to dedicate their posts on December 1 to HIV/AIDS.
How YOU responded
You responded with posts more powerful (and plentiful) than we could have anticipated. We are still reading all the posts and following the conversations you generated. You got the word out, told your stories, linked to resources, and told your communities, your friends, families, and readers why HIV/AIDS matters to you. Some of the bloggers that inspire the HIV.gov team, like Beth KanterExit Disclaimer and NTEN’s Holly RossExit Disclaimer, also dedicated their blog to World AIDS Day.World AIDS Day in Second Life
Our colleagues in Second Life, the first island in Second Life solely dedicated to HIV/AIDS information, support, and education. We accepted the invitation and created our avatars, virtual posters, and note cards for the event.
How YOU responded
Almost 500 people (or rather, their avatars) visited Karuna on World AIDS Day - and for many of you it was your first time exploring this virtual world. Our colleagues in Atlanta, Maryland, Virginia, California, and North Carolina created their own avatars and took the unfamiliar plunge into Second Life. People who had lost friends and loved ones came to the event to share their stories and remember.But that’s not all...
There were many, many other World AIDS Day events and activities that involved new media. We were inspired by the following examples - a small sample of the many:
- Many people twitteredExit Disclaimer about World AIDS Day. People like Social ButterflyExit Disclaimer, Chris BroganExit Disclaimer, Chris PennExit Disclaimer, and hundreds moreExit Disclaimer!
- The World Community GridExit Disclaimer developed a virtual space in Second Life to promote their Fight AIDS @ Home CampaignExit Disclaimer.
- The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee created a websiteExit Disclaimer for youth where they submit their own videos and postcards.
- Peace TilesExit Disclaimer used online media to create digital murals that raise awareness about HIV/AIDS issues and to commemorate World AIDS Day 2008.
YOU make the difference.
Thank you. For caring enough to take photos. For telling your friends. For telling your stories about HIV/AIDS. For embracing new media for social change.
We were inspired by your creativity and compassion. YOUR involvement in the many World AIDS Day 2008 new media activities demonstrated the potential power of new media. But more importantly, it shows the power of YOU.