December 1 is World AIDS Day. Established in 1988 by the World Health Organization, the day is an opportunity for people, organizations, government agencies and faith groups to come together to work on the global epidemic. It’s also a day when people remember those who’ve died of this terrible disease.

According to a CDC report, an estimated 1 million Americans are HIV positive. And an estimated one/fifth of those people do not know they are infected. According to Avert, since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, more than half a million Americans have died of the disease.

For this World AIDS Day I encourage everyone to get involved in whatever large or small way they can. Donate to AFAN, our community’s local HIV/AIDS organization. Turn your Facebook status to RED with the Product RED logos. Volunteer to help groups do testing and awareness. And while you’re at it — GET TESTED!

Let this video, made so long ago, inspire you to action: