The Red Ribbon
 What is it? The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of HIV & AIDS awareness. It is not a symbol of gay rights (that's the rainbow ribbon) or breast cancer awareness (pink ribbon). |
| Care & Concern |
| It is being worn by increasing numbers of people around the world to demonstrate their care & concern about HIV & AIDS - for those who are ill, for those who have died & for those who care for & support those directly affected. |
| Hope |
| The Red Ribbon is intended to be a symbol of hope - that the search for a vaccine & cure to halt the suffering is successful & the quality of life improves for those living with the virus. |
| Support |
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The Red Ribbon offers symbolic support for those living with HIV, for the continuing education of those not infected, for maximum efforts to find effective treatments, cures or vaccines, & for those who have lost friends, family members or loved ones to AIDS. If you are offered a Red Ribbon, you are asked to take it & wear it as a tribute to millions of people living with or affected by HIV & AIDS worldwide. Anyone can wear a Red Ribbon. You don't have to be gay, HIV-positive or living with AIDS to demonstrate that you have an understanding of the issues surrounding HIV & AIDS. |
| World AIDS Day is on 1st December every year. |
| Wearing a Red Ribbon is the first step in the fight against HIV & AIDS. |