Why I Rock the Red Pump

"I don't take wearing my pumps lightly and the fact that I am wearing them for a great cause today makes it even more worth it!" -Mesha

I saw Red Pump badges on several blogs last year but didn't really take the time to click on them and see what they were all about. A few weeks ago someone "tweeted" about The Red Pump Project and I felt the urge to see what it was. I immediately fell in love with what it stood for and its purpose and told myself I have to show my support. I began reading the statistics via the Centers for Disease Control and became overcome with emotion. I remember when I was younger (in the 90's) and the media made it seem as if HIV/AIDS was only relevant in Africa and homosexual men and drug users in America. I also remember watching a talk show and seeing Hydeia Broadbent talking aout how she was born with AIDS yet the disease still seemed so far away. I only knew of one family member that contracted and died of AIDS, yet again the disease still seemed so far away. Those stats on CDC's site were so alarming to me. It's real. It's here and it's closer than I think. One of God's purposes for me is to help people(especially young women), whether it's by words or deeds, hugs, smiles, or just listening, I am supposed to help. So if me writing a post about HIV/AIDS Awareness, sending out a tweet or just talking to a random stranger about why this is so important, can help someone realize that this disease is not a game, then I have done my part.