European Commission Approves Truvada

On August 22, 2016, the European Commission announced that it approves Truvada as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV) in all 28 EU countries.

Truvada is the first antiretroviral drug to be licensed in all 28 countries of the European Union to reduce the risk for HIV infection, subject to national regulatory authority approval of required pharmacovigilance materials in each country.

Two major studies (iPrEx study and Partners PrEP trial) demonstrated substantial reductions in the risk for HIV-1 infection when Truvada was used as PrEP. Both studies linked better adherence to daily Truvada to better protection against HIV-1 infection.

Experts believe that it will be available on the pharmaceutical market in the next six months. Even now PrEP plays an important role, together with other measures, in HIV prevention.

PrEP is relatively costly (universally recognized is $1,539.90 for 30 tablets) if it is not reimbursed by health insurance and is affordable by very few people. Now many hope that alternative PrEP becomes available in the market and that this very effective method of prevention will be available to many more.

It is not yet clear when PrEP will be available in Sweden and at what cost.

In addition to the European Union, Truvada is also authorized for PrEP in the United States, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Peru, and South Africa.

World AIDS Day 2014

“On this World AIDS Day, I call on world leaders to unite in our common cause. We have started to turn the tide. We have set a bold target. Let us end AIDS together by 2030.” — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
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World AIDS Day 2014 is an opportunity to harness the power of social change to put people first and close the access gap.

Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is possible, but only by closing the gap between people who have access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and people who are being left behind.

Closing the gap means empowering and enabling all people, everywhere, to access the services they need.

• By closing the HIV testing gap, the 19 million people who are unaware of their HIV-positive status can begin to get support.
• By closing the treatment gap, all 35 million people living with HIV will have access to life-saving medicine.
• By closing the gap in access to medicines for children, all children living with HIV will be able to access treatment, not just the 24% who have access today.
• By closing the access gap, all people can be included as part of the solution. 

Closing the gap means that ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is possible.

For more information please visit UNAIDS

#weareALLclean

It seems that we are living in a time for social media challenges, the successful #ALSicebucket campaign has a lot to answer for.

From news.com.au: #weareALLclean fights AIDS stigma with photos of hot, naked men:

"The sudden spate of shower selfies is the brainchild of activist Jack Mackenroth, who wants to raise money to fight HIV and AIDS while ending the stigma around the condition.

Men are being urged to take photos of themselves in the buff and post them to social media with the hashtag #weareALLclean, while linking to a donation page to find a cure for AIDS.

“I was inspired by the use of the word ‘clean’, especially common in gay culture, to describe oneself as STI/STD free”, Mackenroth says.

“This implies that HIV-positive people are somehow ‘dirty’. I thought a PG shower selfie or video would be a fun way that everyone could easily show their support on social media for finding a cure by using the hashtag #weareALLclean when they post their photo with the link. Then they donate what they can and nominate 3 or more other people to participate.”

The campaign is taking off online but is far from $1,000,000 goal in donations "

I have been challenged by my friend Rusty Redfield (Playing with the Big Boys: 084: #weareALLclean (yes, a naked picture challenge!).

I threw off my clothes and proceeded to schlep my beautiful husband Tomais, after first getting him naked, into a shower with me and then asked him to make another of his beautiful picture of the two of us. 

"Shower selfie" by Tomais Ashdene

As always the most interesting part of the modelling experience was to observe my own special artist at work with the photo he had taken. It is amazing what funky details his astute and discerning eyes find to correct in Photoshop before he is satisfied with the picture.

This time he even took the time to make it safe for F*c*book, please not the careful and ingenious placement of his signature. It is in that exact spot to cover up my amazing butt crack from the picture-nazis on that site.

I challenge the following of my family and friends:  +JJ Goodman, +Wayne NZ  and sirhc DeSantis. And, after due consideration, I am adding +Petr Hastings-Vanbeeck, just because I want to see him in the shower too...

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Take a selfie or short video of yourself in the shower or bath.**NO EXPLICIT NUDITY**
2. Post your photo now on Moovz and all social media platforms with the caption "Take HIV Shower Selfie Challenge raise $ for AIDS cure bit.ly/CUREAIDS #weareALLclean"
3. Nominate 3 or more other people to participate!
4. DONATE! Please donate if you are able. Every dollar counts! bit.ly/CUREAIDS
5. On World AIDS Day (or before): Monday, December 1st, please change all your social media profile pix to your shower selfie photo and spread the word!!!

Second Pride's "Fashion Pride"

The information below is from a notecard in the Second Pride Festival Group.

This event is a Second Pride Fashion Fundraiser for AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)and will take place March 10th - March 17th 2014

"AN INVITE TO FASHION DESIGNERS

Dear designer,

As you know, HIV and AIDS still impacts the lives of millions throughout the world today. Its impact in urban areas is often understated publicly, but the effect it has on those it touches is profound, transforming lives, destroying health, and devastating families.

Second Pride, the organization that creates Second Life's largest pride celebration, is holding a fundraiser for AIDS Committee of Toronto to raise funds to increase awareness of the disease, assist those living with HIV, and service the community, while researching its impact on various segments of society.

WHAT IS FASHION PRIDE?

Fashion Pride is an exciting shopping event that will take place from March 10th through March 17th 2014. It will include fabulous shopping, fashion shows, entertainment events, and a final art auction to raise funds for both the Second Pride main festival in June and ACT.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO BE PART OF FASHION PRIDE?

We are asking for donations which will purchase your stall space for the duration of the event. 100% of the store cost will be donated to help Second Pride, an entirely non-profit organization, hold the pride festival in June. This important festival helps the LGBT come together for fun, information and camaraderie. In addition, it provides a Pride event to those who may not be able to attend one in RL due to real life oppression and animosity. Second Pride webpage (url)

This can be paid at the time of your confirmation directly to the account of the event, Second Pride.

We will have three available store sizes you can choose:

-Large (100 prims): L$1,500

-Medium (50 prims) L$1,000

-Small (20 prims): L$500

VENDORS AND SPLIT INFORMATION

We are asking that 100% proceeds of at least ONE EXCLUSIVE ITEM be donated to ACT (for exclusive item we mean a new and never released item). Funds for this item will go directly to an avatar run by the charity.

Second Pride is supportive of diversity and as such we have not selected a theme for this event. We want to see your creativity in your exclusive item.

All sales from the remaining items in your store are yours to keep, of course, we do appreciate any further donations you wish to make to ACT or to the upcoming Second Pride event.

For your exclusive charity item, we will happily provide you with the vendor.

TRANSPARENCY

Second Pride is the treasury avatar for the Second Pride event in June. All shop reservation transactions will go through this account and all transaction history will be publicized on the Fashion Pride blog (url).

All transaction history, participating creator names, raised amounts, schedules, and anything else related to the event, will be located on this blog.

100% of exclusive item donations will be donated to ACT avatar, ACT Merryman, and all of the transactions will be released to the public.

SIM INFORMATION

Marcus Lefevre has generously donated the use of one sim for the Fashion Pride event. We are grateful for his generosity.

I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. WHO CAN I ASK?

Feel free to IM: Bastien Berboral [ENG/SPA], Merrick Genesis [ENG], Mrs Sutry Long (Sutry Resident) [ENG/SPA], or Skylei Caproni (ENG]."

World AIDS Day 2013

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

Around an estimated 34 million people in the world have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV.

World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and governments that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. Find out how much you know by taking our online quiz: Are you HIV aware? Test your knowledge and awareness by taking the quiz and act aware by passing the quiz on and sharing it with your friends on Twitter and Facebook.

If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding

You can also show your support for people living with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness and support.

(Source and for further information please visit World AIDS Day)