It is estimated that there are currently more than 33 million people in the world living with HIV the virus that causes AIDS.

Keeping that number from increasing is the goal of today World AIDS Day.

The World Health Organization established December 1st as World AIDS Day in 1988.

How much do you know about HIV-AIDS? How much do high schoolers know?

Plenty more today at Minot's Central Campus thanks to Barbara Johnson.

Johnson is an author who has written about AIDS and its affect on her adopted son, Ray, who was born with it.

She talked about how it is important to understand AIDS...and treat those who have it with respect.

(Barbara Johnson - AIDS Speaker) "Trying to make this real to them. That it is not just something that happens to other people. It happens to families and children but it is preventable and doesn't have to be a part of their future. A lot of these kids...to teach compassion and the fear and ignorance that causes so much discrimination in our world today."

It is estimated that AIDS killed two-point-one-million people worldwide in 2007.

By the way...Ray was with Barbara and her family for one year until his death. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list