World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died. There are more than 35 million people living with HIV around the world. In Canada, more than 75,000 people live with HIV, and a Canadian is diagnosed with the disease every three hours. While research has led to treatment advances that mean a positive HIV diagnosis is no longer considered a death sentence, the burden of a diagnosis remains heavy. There’s stigma associated with the disease that takes a psychological toll on those living with HIV. In addition, HIV treatment is a lifelong commitment that requires taking medication every day, exactly as prescribed.