In order to promote the AIDS prevention and control campaign and to encourage the public to show their support and concern for people infected with AIDS, the Centers for Disease Control invited motorcycle riders in northern, central, southern and eastern Taiwan to organize an “AIDS Prevention Troops” to participate in four planned pledge ceremonies. The first event was held at 2:30 p.m. on November 8 at the Red House plaza in Xi Men Ting, Taipei city. All the motorcycles were adorned with red ribbons which symbolize AIDS prevention and control. There was also a massive release of balloons with red ribbons attached to them.

The CDC also designed “postcards of love” on which participants will write down their blessings and hopes for AIDS patients—many of whom suffer from discrimination. After the event, these “postcards of love” will be delivered to the domestic AIDS support organizations and then to AIDS patients as an expression of society’s concern.

AIDS prevention and control is one of the most critical global health issues. To effectively reduce the spread of AIDS, in 2001, the Executive Yuan established “AIDS Prevention and Control Commission”, an interagency commission that integrates twelve governmental agencies and grassroots groups together to promote the AIDS prevention campaign. The CDC also promoted AIDS screening programs for pregnant women and hazard reduction programs. After several years, in 2006, there was negative growth in the number of new reported AIDS cases for the first time. It was a significant achievement.

According to the CDC, thanks to the development of anti-virus medicines and cocktail therapies, HIV infection is no longer a fatal disease. Both the government and the people with AIDS will face more new challenges of adjustment and other social issues. AIDS prevention and control campaigns need to be promoted in both cities and villages and to old and young alike. Public awareness and the influence of peer groups are also critical to controlling the spread of AIDS.

“Anti-AIDS army” pledge ceremonies will also take place in Taichung city, Hualien county and Kaohsiung city. To wrap up the campaign, all the participating motorcycle riders will gather at the National Taiwan Democracy Monument Hall on November 30, the eve of the World AIDS Day, in order to voice for the AIDS prevention campaign and support all people with AIDS.