On Saturday, people across the globe will be spreading education about AIDS prevention in recognition of World AIDS Day. The day, in its 20th year, deals with an epidemic that has killed millions around the globe for a quarter of a century. In Memphis, World AIDS Day will be observed by events held throughout the city.
Working closely in preventing the spread of HIV, Wardell Thompson, an employee at the Tiger Den, is passionate about informing the public about this issue.
"I felt like I had been tricked," Thompson said. "I was angry at the disease."
Shortly before Thompson's friend died of AIDS, he recommended him for a job opportunity that would eventually change his life and the lives of many others.
"He got sick and started confiding in me," Thompson said of his friend, who began sharing with him information about his past - a past that lead to his death.
Inspired by his friend, Thompson began working in Minnesota as an AIDS advocate. He traveled across the nation and spoke in front of all types of audiences about AIDS.
"At the start of this disease 25 years ago, once one person was infected, it affected all of us," Thompson said. "A difference can be made with me as one person.
"This is a fairly new disease that a lot of people aren't completely informed about," he said. "I've even spoken to doctors on this subject."
After moving to Memphis in order to take care of a sick family member, Thompson became ill.
"I started to get sick," Thompson said. "I've been recovering from a stroke I had in May."
Due to his poor health, he decided to stay in Memphis.
Despite his health condition, he decided to continue his journey in informing the public about the AIDS epidemic. Volunteering around Memphis, Thompson has seen it all.
"In one case, a 70-year-old woman was diagnosed with AIDS," Thompson said. "Her 76-year-old husband got infected after picking up a prostitute. Now, they're both infected."
In 2006, Shelby County had 450 cases of people infected with AIDS. Out of the 450 cases, 298 were male and 152 were female.
The age group most affected by the disease in Shelby County is 35-44.
Although African-Americans only make up 12.9 of the total U.S. population, more than half of the reported AIDS patients in the United States are African-American.
The second leading group of AIDS patients are Caucasian with 29 percent and then Latino with 16.9 percent.
"(African-Americans) are ignoring health issues," Thompson said. "People think that you can tell if someone is sick by looking at them. That's not true."
With its majority population of African-Americans, Memphis, Thompson said, could be a center for stopping the deadly disease.
"I want Memphis to be a front-runner in eliminating the spread of HIV," Thompson said. "HIV is preventable if you protect yourself."
