Live Your Truth

5 Organizations Supporting The Poz Community That You Can Donate To This Year

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It’s that time of year again: gifts abound, families and friends reunite, and we all begin to contemplate the ways in which we might be able to give back to our communities.

Though there are so many well-known organizations helping the underprivileged amongst us, there are others that are more niche, specifically aiming to support and improve the lives of those living with conditions such as HIV+. Whether you or someone you know is Poz, or you’d just like to give back to some really deserving communities this year, here are a few organizations helping Poz people around the world.

1. The Joint United Nations Program (UNAIDS)

Leading the global effort to end AIDS is UNAIDS, of the Joint United Nations Program. This organization’s objective is to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by the year 2030. Since beginning in the year 1996, UNAIDS has lead global, regional, national and local leadership and partnerships. UNAIDS develops strategies for countries to receive help in ending AIDS, provides direction, advocacy, coordination and technical support to connect government leadership and provides life-saving HIV services. UNAIDS currently has offices in 70 countries.

You can learn more or donate to UNAIDS here.

2. The International AIDS Society

Founded in 1988, the International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world’s largest organization of HIV professionals, with members in more than 170 countries. The IAS advocates and works to reduce the impact of HIV worldwide, and hosts some of the world’s most prestigious conferences such as the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science, and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference.

You can learn more or become a member of the IAS here.

3. International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC)

The IAPAC was founded over 30+ years ago in an effort to improve access to quality prevention, care, treatment and support services for those living with or supporting those living with HIV and other diseases. The IAPAC currently has more than 30,000 members globally, and reaches over 150 countries around the world. They are the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end AIDS as a public health threat.

You can learn more or donate to the IAPAC here.

4. AIDS FOR AIDS (AFA)

AIDS FOR AIDS (AFA) is a nonprofit organization that empowers communities most at risk to contract HIV as well as the general population. The organization provides free anti-retroviral medication to those with HIV around the world, particularly those who lack access to treatment. They also promote policy reform, and offer education and training in order to help improve the quality of life for those who are Poz as well as reduce the stigma associated with it.

You can learn more or donate to AFA here.

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation promotes health and social justice for communities impacted by HIV through a series of community partnerships and initiatives. They provide everything from help with sexual testing and safety to counseling and case management, as well as housing and PREP/PEP support for patients.

You can learn more or donate to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation here.

Though there are different ways to get involved and so many deserving organizations that could use our support, these are just a few you may want to consider when it comes to giving back this year. It’s about making the world safer, easier and more accessible for all of us, and we can start right here.