It seems like a day doesn’t go by without a reference in the news about the latest scare: the H1N1 or “swine flu” virus. I understand people’s fear; this virus can be deadly. But it reminds me of the alarm raised a few years ago over the avian flu, feared to cause a global pandemic (it didn’t).

Meanwhile, the world’s worst global pandemic is still with us: AIDS. It’s still killing many more people than any flu; about 2 million people died of AIDS-related causes in 2007 compared to between 250,000 and 500,000 flu deaths worldwide. And while it is preventable, many of its victims can’t protect themselves—particularly the 740 children who die of AIDS every day.

These children likely contracted HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding. Of all the things a mother wants to pass along, a deadly virus is nowhere on the list. And she doesn’t have to. In 1994, scientists developed drugs to reduce mother-to-child transmission.

I saw this myself in Zambia when I visited the Zamtan Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission clinic, one of the most advanced AIDS centers in Zambia. Pregnant women and new mothers can access anti-retroviral therapy, safe delivery measures, and counseling on ways to reduce the risk of passing HIV to their babies—by 80 percent.

This life-saving clinic had an exciting connection to the U.S.—Chicago business owners Jim and Tedde Reid rallied about 30 others to raise $1.4 million to fund it.

World AIDS Day is Tuesday, December 1, and it’s a perfect opportunity to pray about AIDS—and act. If the Reids inspire you as they did me, make it a priority to do something.

One simple thing World Vision is advocating is to call your member of Congress and ask elected officials to keep their promise to provide $7.2 billion this year for AIDS prevention and care. Go here for more ideas on how to help innocent children on this World AIDS Day.