<p>39.5 MILLION people are living with HIV/AIDS.</p>
<p>2.3 MILLION of those people are children.</p>
<p>By the end of this year 2.9 MILLION people will have died of HIV/AIDS, 0.38 MILLION of which are children.</p>
<p>Since 1981, more than 25 MILLION people have died of HIV/AIDS.</p>
<p>In Africa alone, 12 MILLION children are orphans.</p>
<p>Every DAY 6,000 15-24 year olds are infected with HIV. That's one every 15 SECONDS.</p>
<p>In developing countries, 6.8 MILLION people need life-saving drugs. Only 1.65 MILLION of those people are receiving them.</p>
<p>There is currently no cure for AIDS.</p>
<p>I hope you all my fellow Yale SCEAers saw at least some news coverage about the pandemic or heard something about it school or on the radio yesterday since it was WORLD AIDS DAY.</p>
<p>However, even though the whole world only pays attention to this crisis completely once a year, the pain and suffering of those who are affected by HIV/AIDS endures 24/7 365 days a year. I know we are all really nervious/emotional about our upcoming decisions but I think we should all REALLY be thankful that our biggest worry in life now is whether we get accepted into Yale and not whether we will live to see our friends/family/relatives for another day or not.</p>
<p>Happy holidays everyone and remember to keep the thoughts of those less fortunate worldwide in your thoughts!!!:):)</p>
<p>Most of the world would die to be in our position...we'll probably all end up going to college SOMEWHERE, and that itself is more than what most people have.</p>
<p>EAD thanks sooo much for this post, it really helps keep things in perspective. </p>
<p>It was really nice that you pointed out the 'bigger picture'...that there are millions of people dealing with life versus death issues such as 'will I eat tomorrow' or 'will I die of AIDS' on a daily basis. You're totally right...while it might seem like a big deal to us sitting in our comfortable homes trying to further extend the comforts of our lives by going to a stellar academic institution...it's just not a big deal, in th grand scheme of things.</p>
<p>a few sections of the AIDS quilt came to my school, including a signature panel that we created back in 2002 (before i was in high school, so, sadly, i didn't get to be on it). the presentation was so moving. as sappy as it sometimes sounds, we really are lucky.</p>
<p>People don't die of AIDS; they die of opportunistic diseases. Other than that, yes, more people should know about the AIDS problem. But remember, the key to solving AIDS and world poverty is stemming overpopulation. Otherwise, if the global population gets out of control (as is the current case), we cannot hope to solve the world's problems. It's not practical or even possible. Let's educate developing nations, so they can help themselves.</p>
<p>11argon...I said AIDS results in death because it's the all-encompassing root cause of those opportunistic diseases...but you're absolutely right. </p>
<p>I volunteer with a local AIDS relief organization whose primary goal is empowerment of Kenyan/Ugandan AIDS orphans so that they can educate and empower other AIDS orphans. I concur...education is definitely one of the foremost means of preventing the pandemic from further spreading. It's definitely a problem when people don't even know what condoms are...</p>
<p>still doesn't change the fact that I will be rejected from Yale's SCEA... but I will mix the tears of my thoughts of AIDS victims with my own :'(</p>
<p>Thought Yale deferrees/rejected folk could use this thread at this time!! Forget about Yale over the holidays and celebrate with your family and remember how lucky and blessed EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU are you guys!!!:)</p>