FAQs For Volunteers
	FAQs About HIV/AIDS

FAQs For Volunteers

Q. Where does my donation go?
A. Funds raised from the Red Ribbon Appeal support ACON in providing expanded services and programs vital to the health and wellbeing of our communities across NSW.

Q. How long before my shift do I need to arrive?
A. If you have been instructed to come to ACON's offices before your shift, please arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of your shift. If you are going directly to your selling location, please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your shift. This should be enough time to get your gear and receive instructions from your supervisor.

Q. What do I wear?
A. Comfortable clothes and shoes. Red Ribbon t-shirts will be provided, however stocks are limited and therefore we can't guarantee you will get a shirt.

Q. Will water and sunscreen be provided?
A. If you're coming to ACON before your shift begins, you'll be able to pick up sunscreen and bottled water. Water and sunscreen will also be available at the following locations: Newtown and Taylor Square. If you're going directly to a selling location that doesn't have sunscreen and water available, we suggest you bring your own.

Q. Who do I contact if I need to change or cancel my shift, and how much notice do I need to give for this?
A. Please contact our Red Ribbon Coordinator, Zac, on either redribbon@acon.org.au or 9206 2024. 

Q. Will I have a break during my shift?
A. Depending on the duration of your shift there will be a break.

Q. If I get lost on the day, who do I contact?
A. Please contact our volunteer’s coordinator, Zac on 9206 2024. 

Q. How many people will I be working with?
A. Depending on the station’s size there might be between 2 to 4 other volunteers and a supervisor with you.

Q. Will wet-weather gear be provided if it rains on the day?
A. Ponchos will be available if weather conditions are not favorable.

Q. How will I be contacted if there are any changes to my shift or location?
A. We will contact you by either phone or email.

FAQs about HIV/AIDS

1) What is ACON?
ACON is a non-government community-based organisation that promotes the health and wellbeing of NSW’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. We also provide information and support for people living with HIV or at risk of acquiring HIV, including sex workers and people who use drugs. Because HIV is one of the biggest health issues facing our community, we run HIV prevention and education campaigns, assist people living with HIV and develop policy across a wide range of HIV-related issues. But our work also covers other health issues such as sexual health, mental health, lesbian health, alcohol and other drugs, anti-violence, youth, ageing, community care and advocacy.

2) What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV affects the body’s immune system, its main defence against disease. Over time, the virus weakens the immune system, leaving the person who has HIV open to other infections. HIV is primarily transmitted in blood, semen and vaginal fluids via unprotected sex or sharing injecting equipment. Someone living with HIV is said to be HIV positive. HIV is the virus that can cause AIDS.

3) What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome which refers to the range of specific illnesses that an HIV positive person may get when their immune system becomes weakened. It is possible to have HIV for many years before getting any of the illnesses usually associated with AIDS. The terms HIV and AIDS are not interchangeable. It is important to remember that a person who is infected with HIV does not necessarily have AIDS. However, all people with AIDS have HIV.

4) How many people does HIV/AIDS affect?
Almost 33 million people are living with HIV worldwide and 28 million have died from an AIDS-related illness. A new HIV infection is diagnosed somewhere in the world every seven seconds and someone dies from an AIDS-related illness every 11 seconds. The vast majority of these cases are in Sub Saharan Africa. However, the Asia-Pacific region is fast-becoming the epicentre of the epidemic with HIV prevalence increasing rapidly in countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.

5) How many people in Australia have been affected?
Almost 17,000 people are living with HIV in Australia with about 1000 people becoming newly infected each year. Over the last 25 years, about 6700 Australians have died from AIDS. In Australia, about 85% of HIV transmissions occur through sex between gay and other homosexually active men, about 13% occur through heterosexual sex and about 2% occur through injecting drug use. In NSW, about 10,000 people are living with HIV. On average, at least one new HIV infection is diagnosed in NSW every day.

6) How do you know if you have HIV?
An HIV test is the only way to know one’s HIV status. It’s important for people to know their HIV status in order to make informed decisions about their sexual health. Local sexual health clinics or general practices provide free and confidential testing.

7) Can HIV be cured?
There are currently no cures or vaccines available for HIV. A range of treatments can slow the progression and ease the symptoms of HIV, but they cannot stop it altogether. Treatments are now less toxic, fewer pills are required, and many only need to be taken once or twice a day at most. Potential side effects are also far less frequent and severe. Generally once someone commences treatment, they will stay on it for the rest of their life.

8) When will a vaccine be available?
HIV vaccines are currently being trialled around the world, including Australia. However, an effective vaccine is still many years away. There are also plenty of unknowns when it comes to a potential HIV vaccine. For example, when a vaccine is developed, it could be partially effective at preventing infection but may not cure someone already infected with HIV. Alternatively it may not prevent someone catching HIV in the first place but could prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS.