by Trina Scott, Associate Director, Health Equity and Youth Empowerment

On July 23, surrounded by hundreds of youth activists from across the United States and around the world, a trio of Advocates' Youth Activist Network members announced the creation of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.

Show your support for National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day! Sign the petition TODAY!

At the AIDS 2012 Youth Reception, Lawrence, Brittany, and Ariel also called on President Obama and the U.S. government to officially recognize this day on April 10th each year — a step that would allow youth activists, government agencies, and the HIV and AIDS community to mobilize young people and their communities.

"If we put young people at the forefront — if we prioritize young people as key partners — we can get to an AIDS-free generation," Lawrence declared. "Young people have the power to prevent HIV, but we can't do it alone. All of us have to be in this fight together. Which is why in this place, at this time, at this crucial moment in our fight, we call on President Obama, Congress, and each and every one of you to declare April 10 National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day!"

CLICK HERE to sign the petition calling for President Obama and the U.S. government to officially recognize National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.

Advocates for Youth is proud to be working alongside an incredible group of Founding Partners for National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day: Adolescent AIDS Program at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center; AIDS Alabama; AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families; AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland; AIDS United; Hetrick-Martin Institute; Metro TeenAIDS; National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD); National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition; National Minority AIDS Council; and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS).

With a strong show of support, we can make National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day a reality! Please sign this petition — and share it widely!

Together, we can make it happen.