Today, December 1, 2006 is World AIDS Day.

Growing up in the 80′s, I can remember it being called “the gay disease” on news reports; we soon realized it wasn’t quite so “gay”. We hear it in the news almost daily… the horiffic toll A.I.D.S. has taken on those in Africa. Many fail to see just what that means to them because Africa is so far away. Having grown up in the Performing Arts and having found love in the Visual Arts, I have had the opportunity to meet some great people who have eventually lost their lives to A.I.D.S. For me, it never really hit home until I lost a cousin to the disease, and witnessed the madness it can bring to loved ones.

Today, even if it’s only one day in the year, take time to remember those who have lost their fight against A.I.D.S., those who are infected by the disease, and those who are AFFECTED… afterall, these days I don’t think anyone can say they don’t know someone (or know someone who knows someone) who has lost their life due to A.I.D.S.

For 26 years, this disease has wrecked havoc on the lives of so many – maybe if we all do one thing today to honor those gone, help those who are living, and to stop the spread of this disease we can stop it from killing those we love.

About the author

Kevin Michael Reed
Kevin Michael Reed (Google+, Facebook) is a fashion & beauty photographer and producer/director based in New York City and Los Angeles, CA. He is the President/CEO of RedFOG Visual Media, a production company in New York City, and a partner in Passion of Photography, Inc, a company dedicated to teaching photographers and sharing our passion through charitable causes. Kevin has lectured and hosted workshops throughout the United States and the world teaching photographers the business and creative sides of photography. (Kevin's Fashion & Beauty Photography Portfolio can be seen here).