Local AIDS charity looks to Islanders for support on World AIDS day

Local AIDS charity ACET Jersey (AIDs/HIV Care, Education and Training) is asking for support from islanders during its collections and events in the run up to World Aids Day on December 1st.

Local AIDS charity ACET Jersey (AIDs/HIV Care, Education and Training) is asking for support from islanders during its collections and events in the run up to World Aids Day on December 1^st.

On Saturday 30^th November ACET supporters will be giving out red ribbons and holding a street collection in St Helier, based around BHS. ACET remains the only charity on the Island solely dedicated to reducing the number of new people contracting HIV and providing immediate and long term practical, psychological and emotional support for those with HIV. It is estimated that there are currently around 100 people living with HIV in the Island, and over 90,000 in the UK more than a quarter of which are unaware they are living with HIV.

ACET is asking islanders to:

• Wear the red ribbon to show support for people living with HIV
• Hold a fundraising event at school, at work or in the wider community to help ACET support those in need
• Find out the facts about HIV by visiting www.acet.je

Despite there being more people living with HIV in the UK than ever before, research shows that accurate and up-to-date knowledge of HIV is on the decline. Even in Jersey, people are complacent thinking that HIV does not apply to them, inadvertently putting their health at risk.

Fiona Poolton, Executive Officer of ACET Jersey, explains

‘World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and the Government that HIV is still an issue. There is always an urgent need to raise money to do preventative work by increasing awareness and education and to provide vital counseling support to those people on the island living with HIV.

Many people living with HIV still experience stigma and discrimination even though advances in treatment allow people living with this chronic long-term condition to live relatively normal lives. There is still no cure however so people need to know the facts about how to protect themselves, and others, from HIV; This includes where to be tested and how to undergo treatment with the aim of preventing HIV developing into a life threatening condition.

Please help us to share the facts about HIV and use this knowledge to protect yourself and others from contracting HIV.”

Event organisers are invited to contact Kim Hewlett at K.Hewlett@acet.je for supplies of red ribbons and collecting cans.