Some of you may have seen the new ads for the MOVE YOUR LIPS campaign running on the channel... i hope it's not only inspiring you to go out and BUY the move your lips lip balm at the Body Shop but i hope even more so that the ads are inspiring you to MOVE YOUR LIPS and strike up a conversation about HIV/AIDS...
For those of you who don't already know, HIV is a disease that attacks the body's immune system. Once infected with HIV, a person has it for life... eventually HIV can lead to AIDS. Today, there is no cure for either disease.
HIV can spread in various ways: HIV can spread through unprotected sex, transfusions of unscreened blood, contaminated injection needles (this means tattooing as well!!!), and from an infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
I know it may be a bit overwhelming to realize that HIV can spread in so many ways, but the good thing to remember is that HIV IS ENTIRELY AND EASILY PREVENTABLE.
a few scary numbers....
Globally nearly 40 million people are living with HIV or AIDS
Last year over 5 million people were newly infected with HIV - about HALF were under 25 years old.
In Malaysia 2,395 people were newly infected with HIV between January and June 2007 - 692 are between the ages of 13 - 29.
So are you ready for the good news?
HIV is entirely preventable if you're smart and you love your body and the people around you.
Dont be pressured into doing anything you dont want to do. You DONT have to have unprotected sex and NO everyone else ISN'T doing it.
If you dont have a condom, DONT have sex.
Discuss protection with your partner before you have sex.
Learn the correct way to use a condom.
Have a supply of condoms ready if you choose to have sex - GIRLS, this means YOU TOO. Dont be shy to buy condoms (besides, most cashiers at the store are women any way) - if you're going to be sexually active, at least be smart about it. The 30 seconds of embarrassment at the register could save your life, seems totally worth it then huh? And btw, you shouldnt be embarrassed to begin with. If guys can buy them, so can girls.
Learn about how HIV spreads, what symptoms to look for and where to go for help if you are worried.
If you have had unprotected sex, or might have an infection, then go to a health clinic immediately. It's important and it could save LIVES. GET TESTED.
I think everyone should get tested every year. HIV is a disease that hides in your system for years sometimes before symptoms begin to show... so just because you dont feel or look different doesn't mean you don't have it. Be safe. Get tested. It's a painless process and totally worth your time. Go with a group a friends- moral support helps a lot.
So back to the MOVE YOUR LIPS campaign... MTV has teamed up with the BODY sHOP once again to raise awareness and money... this year we've created a fair trade Guarana lip balm that is color free, oh so moisturizing, and REALLY YUMMY!!! Boys can wear it, girls can wear it, your mom can wear it... heck buy some for everyone you know. It's not expensive at all and the total profit from the sales go towards the STAYING ALIVE FOUNDATION worldwide as well as local grassroots organizations for the awareness and prevention of HIV/ AIDS in each country that the lip balm is sold.
if you guys want more information check out these websites:
www..thebodyshopinternational.com
www.moveyourlips.com
www.stayingalive.org
do your part to save lives- yours and the lives of people you care about. be smart. be safe.
MOVE YOUR LIPS.