Erica Hill | BIO
AC360° Correspondent

Thanksgiving wasn’t the same this year. It was a wonderful day – my husband’s family was in town, and it’s rare we have everyone together more than once a year. It was a beautiful day here in NY; we took in our first live Thanksgiving Day Parade, enjoyed a wonderful feast and created new memories. We made up for lost time and were reminded how lucky we are to be blessed with a family we all like. Yet, I couldn’t help but think of Mumbai and the families forever torn apart by these senseless terrorists.

I take some comfort in the vigils being held worldwide, uniting people across oceans and continents, bringing together different faiths, united in one belief: the 179 people killed and the 300 injured last week in Mumbai should still be here.

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December 1 is World AIDS Day…another good reason to reflect. Dec 1 was first set aside as a day to highlight the disease 20 years ago. The good news: Progress, and lots of it, on both the medical and social fronts.

There are now more than two dozen anti-HIV drugs, which have given those living with HIV an incredible chance at life. People around the globe have come to realize this is not a “black disease” or a “gay disease”, as so many thought years ago. That alone is an amazing and important step forward. But despite the advances in the past two decades, there is still much to do.

Like so many diseases, HIV/AIDS does not discriminate, which also means there is a chance you know one of the millions affected by this cruel disease. World AIDS Day is just one of the many ways people around the globe are keeping this disease top of mind. Many local communities have wonderful organizations who work with those affected by HIV/AIDS everyday – offering support, meals, medical help and hope… one of the most powerful medicines available.