Honoring World AIDS Day – A Call to Remember and Act
Today, on World AIDS Day, even though federal recognition has been paused, CAP honors the millions of lives lost and the countless individuals living with HIV. This year’s UNAIDS theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” reminds us that progress is fragile and that our collective vigilance remains essential.
The history of the AIDS response is a story of resilience and solidarity. In the face of fear, stigma, and devastating loss, communities came together—activists, health workers, policymakers, and allies—to resist injustice, protect the vulnerable, and reshape global health policy. Their courage transformed what seemed insurmountable into a movement that secured life-saving treatments and human rights protections.
Yet, these hard-won gains are under threat. Funding cuts, service disruptions, and rising inequalities have stalled prevention programs and jeopardized access to care. Over 40 million people still live with HIV worldwide, and 1.3 million acquired HIV in 2024 alone.1 Without sustained commitment—even from those who never experienced the darkest days of the epidemic—we risk repeating history.
CAP has been a cornerstone in responding to HIV/AIDS in the Portland area for decades. Through comprehensive services such as free HIV and STI testing, medical case management, housing assistance, and food support, CAP works to ensure that people living with HIV have access to care, dignity, and community. Beyond direct services, CAP actively engages in advocacy to dismantle stigma and promote accessibility to health care. Events like AIDS Walk Northwest and observances such as World AIDS Day highlight CAP’s commitment to honoring lives lost, supporting those affected, and sustaining a global movement rooted in resilience and solidarity.
World AIDS Day is not only a day of remembrance; it is a call to action. Together, we can honor the past and protect the progress that generations fought so hard to achieve.
Thank you for standing with us in this mission.
