Annual Report 2017 Raport Anual 2017 EN FINAL | Page 13

“We Hug; We DO NOT Discriminate!”
Every year, on December 1st, we commemorate all those who lost the fight against HIV and AIDS.
World AIDS Day is also an opportunity to recognize the long, difficult but full of hope road that, HIV-infected
people walked while fighting against the virus, other peop le’s preconceived ideas, unfriendly attitudes or
discrimination.
Discrimination is the real enemy of HIV-infected persons in Romania and around the world. That’s why we,
Baylor Black Sea Foundation, are spreading this message: “We hug, we do not discriminate!”
We interact daily with HIV-infected people. We are not afraid! We understand the importance of a hug, a
smile or a kind word. And we never avoid a person living with HIV. We have learned how to prevent the
infection and we know that a hug is no threat to our or to any other person`s health. The first step towards a
healthy life is prevention, instead of discrimination! We have learned that kindness makes miracles.
HIV is not transmitted by: hugs, kisses, shaking hands, using the same phone, tablet or the same computer
as an HIV infected person, bathing in the sea, swimming pools or lakes, using public toilets, sharing cups,
cutlery or plates.
It is important to know how to prevent the infection, the ways HIV is transmitted, and not to discriminate.
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