Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day and the theme for the 2023 observance commemorates 35 years of recognition with “World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit.”

World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988. Each year, organizations and individuals across the world bring attention to the HIV epidemic, endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S.

We have our own dedicated professionals working right here with KU School of Medicine-Wichita who strive for this goal not only on World AIDS Day, but every day. Donna Sweet, M.D., and her care team in the KU Wichita Internal Medicine Midtown Clinic specialize in providing HIV care to more than 1,300 patients in Wichita and throughout Kansas.

World AIDS Day is a day to remember and honor the more than 36 million people, including 700,000 in the United States, who have died from AIDS-related illness globally since the start of the epidemic. You can read more about the journey in HIV care by Dr. Sweet and others in this feature story. 

To provide equitable access to HIV care for KU patients, The Sweet Emergency Fund was established to cover expenses for those who need help meeting the cost of care. If you are interested in donating, more information is available in this brochure.

Know your status - get tested for free

To help identify and reduce infection rates, everyone between the ages of 15 to 65 should get tested at least once, according to Dr. Sweet. Free testing is offered daily at the KU Wichita Internal Medicine Midtown Clinic, or you can visit gettested.cdc.gov or call 800-232-4636 to find a testing site in your area.