World Aids Day – Let’s Call It A Night

***CHICAGO: MAC Cosmetics sponsored event 12/2/09 – Sushi & Drinks See Below***

Yes, yes.  Tuesday was World Aids Day, but what does that mean?

For many of us, it was a day like any other.  For those of us who have lost someone to Aids, every day we carry in our hearts the memories and love for people we’ve lost to this aggressive disease.  Why single a day out?  Because it calls us to act upon those memories toward a greater good.

Two easy ways you can help fundraise by barely lifting a finger yourself:

1) “Say Red” MIX & MINGLE: In Chicago?  On Wednesday, December 2rd you can enjoy a FREE mixer put on in part by the fabulous Patrice of Afrobella. Fabulous Sushi and drinks, silent auctions and beauty swag bags surround this evening of Cocktails and Conversation.  This is an Aids fundraiser for local organization Project Vida, and featured speaker is Emmy award winning activist Rae Lewis-Thornton.

Come on out, eat, drink, dish, and let’s call it a night on Aids.

2) PUCKER UP: MAC Cosmetics has a loooong history supporting Aids research.  100% of the purchase price for Viva Glam lipsticks ($14) go toward the MAC Aids Fund. Fergie is the most recent goddess for the campaign, and Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper are selected for the next campaign, “From Our Lips”. Over $130 million have been raised since Viva Glam was started in 1994.

Lady Gaga for Elle Magazine will front MAC’s next Viva Glam campaign.

Makeup by billy b      Hair by Syd Curry     Photographer Tom Munro

I’ve known co-workers and acquaintances that have died at young ages, but the memory that saddens me the most is of a little girl named Happiness.  Many years ago I had a chance to help build a children’s home in South Africa.  Internet is not a dependable form of communication there, but after a long effort there was a reunion of sorts. The home was the first to house children that had been abandoned, and soon, Aids orphans.  Happiness was one of the original children to be housed in the new building, and her name was fitting.  For some reason she took a liking to me and would visit everyday.  She had a blinding smile and was so lovely-I wanted to adopt her.  She was one of the first people I asked about when reconnecting, and I was heartbroken to find out last year that she had died from Aids.  Although the home helps children that have HIV and Aids, she contracted this later on.  She was not the only one.

I still have her little entry in my book.  She will always be in my heart, and I will always be thinking and praying for her children and remaining family.

What can the rest of us do? Certainly there are the big, looming issues.  Directly volunteering.  Caring.  Friending.  But what if you can’t wrap yourself around that idea?

We should all do what we can.  Two options benefit you directly and put the wheels in motion for the organizations and people that CAN work directly.  If your job isn’t on the front lines, than support with pride!