World AIDS Day to be observed Dec. 1

World AIDS Day will be observed Dec. 1, at which time individuals worldwide will unite in a single effort to raise awareness about HIV and fight the global spread of AIDS.

This is a day of hope, compassion and understanding about the suffering and devastation caused by this pandemic. The World AIDS Campaign focuses on a new theme each year. This year's theme is "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise."

HIV is preventable, and the only way to stop the spread of HIV is through prevention, education and testing. The New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD hotline encourages all those at risk for infection to get tested and go for counseling. HIV testing may be done at a private doctor's office, a hospital, or a publicly funded site. To find a testing site or for more information, call the hotline at (800) 624-2377.