More than 200 individuals who either died or are currently living with HIV and AIDS on Guam were remembered during Monday night's World AIDS Day torchlight ceremony.  Guahan Project Executive Director Al Silverio reminds island residents, "There's still no cure for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Every 10 seconds around the world, someone dies of AIDS." 

It was 30 years ago the world knew more about the AIDS virus and what causes it. It was only within the last five years that Guam established a full-fledged non-profit AIDS service organization called the Guahan Project geared to provide prevention, education and care services to those living with HIV and AIDS.  Silverio stated, "People need to remember that it's almost 100% preventable. We know how to prevent people from getting HIV yet people get infected all the time. We are here to support people in getting the facts about AIDS and what they can do to protect themselves especially with education and empowering women."

The Guahan Project provides resources like information brochures, magazines, free presentation and educational activities. Silverio says they also provide free HIV testing.  "It's important to know who your partners are if you're engaging in intimate activities with them," he added.

You also need to be aware of your surroundings when tattooing and sharing needles, because exposing your blood to someone else's could allow you to get the virus. He says it's important to sterilize and change your needles.  "Not only can you increase the risk of HIV entering your body, you can also increase the risk of getting Hepatitis B, which kills far more people than AIDS," Silverio warned.

While most people think more men contract the AIDS virus, Silverio says surprisingly, more Asian Pacific Islander Women in their child-bearing years are said to get it too. He says those women who are victims of rape and criminal sexual conducts can get infected.  He explained, "It's not because of their behavior that they've been affected, it's their male partners who are at high risk and in turn, it affects them. So women need to be empowered if they're victims of unwanted or unwelcome sexual advances."

For more information you can visit the Guahan Project office located in Tamuning or visit www.guahanproject.org.