“We can re-build him. We have the technology.”

Remember that classic opening line for the show The Six Million Dollar Man? A version of that line has been going through my head as we observe this year's World AIDS Day.

“We can end AIDS. We have the technology.”

In other words, we are coming out of 2011 with a pretty clear prescription of what we need to do to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States and around the world. Thomas Frieden of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that AIDS is a winnable battle. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health said major investments now can end this epidemic. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has proclaimed that creating an AIDS-free generation in our lifetime is actually within the realm of the possible.

So, while it looks like we have been shown the right path, are we going to take it?

On this World AIDS Day, it is important to remember that the United States is a part of the Global community that is fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and remains tremendously impacted by it. Nearly 1.2 million people are infected with HIV in the United States. More than 640,000 of those who know their HIV status aren't receiving the consistent care they need. There are an estimated 56,300 new HIV infections each year.

Some U.S. cities report HIV prevalence rates of over 2%, a rate that surpasses many developing nations across the world. HIV/AIDS has hit many of our nation's vulnerable communities the hardest, including communities of color (particularly African-Americans and Latinos), gay men, women, and people in living in the U.S. South.

This year's World AIDS Day theme is Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths. To get to Zero and end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we need direct investments to the programs that work, that make a difference. And who knows more about “making a difference” than AmeriCorps members?

Since 1994, AIDS United AmeriCorps members have been making a difference for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The AU AmeriCorps program was the first national AmeriCorps program to focus exclusively on HIV/AIDS. Over the past 16 years, more than 600 AIDS United AmeriCorps members have provided HIV testing, prevention and quality of life services to tens of thousands of individuals and families.

World AIDS Day has always been a coordinated day of service for our members, and has always been a pivotal point in their service year to observe the AIDS epidemic on a global scale while fighting the epidemic on the ground in the communities in which they serve.

This year is no different. On World AIDS Day in eight cities around the country, AIDS United AmeriCorps members are hosting HIV testing events, coordinating HIV education and outreach events for youth, volunteering at HIV-themed film screenings and helping out at candlelight vigils.

Most of them can tell stories about an experience with a client that changed their life, because they felt the impact of their service. The client who hugged them after receiving a negative HIV test result, or a person in an AIDS hospice who was grateful for the company during a difficult day, or the youth who was happy to be empowered with more awareness of the importance of prevention efforts.

As a result of some of these powerful experiences, some AmeriCorps members have made pivotal life decisions, committing to a career in public health, or deciding to go to medical school to become an HIV-specializing medical provider.

In addition, about 84% of AIDS United AmeriCorps members continue their service and volunteerism; and of those continuing to volunteer, 58% participate in HIV/AIDS specific activities and 85% participate in healthcare/social justice causes.

AIDS United AmeriCorps members know that service works in the fight against HIV/AIDS because they see it working every day. These bright, passionate and dedicated folks are truly making a difference – in the lives of their clients, and in their own.

Mark Ishaug is the President and CEO of AIDS United.

59-year-old Lillie Lanser is one of the millions of Americans affected by the economic downturn. She spent years as a legal secretary, but when she was laid off in 2009, Lanser realized that unemployment allowed her to pursue a new direction in her life – service. As a volunteer, she found a passion for giving back and created the Cancer Pilot Transport Program while an RSVP volunteer with Senior Corps.
 

Seeing is believing. RSVP volunteers in Indiana believe that all children have the right to see and see well. And thanks to Prevent Blindness Indiana, which trains RSVPs to conduct vision tests, they can play an important role in making sure that happens.
 

Nancy Ryan was a full-time caregiver for her husband, a full-time job without any fanfare. Without much help, she carried on each day making sure her husband had the love and care needed to make it through each day. Through the RSVP Boone County Adult Caregiver Respite Program, Ryan was able to take a break and do the little things one may take for granted -- run a quick errand or grab a bite to eat.
 

From January 9 in San Diego to June 12 in Sacramento, Melissa W. will join others to walk up the California coast and over to Sacramento to raise diabetes awareness and encourage healthy habits among middle school students.
 

Feeling overwhelmed sometimes by the magnitude of the poverty, homelessness, and violence in this country and in our world, a volunteer learns to keep giving, keep loving, keep trying. “You never run out of capacity for these things,” she says.
 

The College Assistance Migrant Program Alumni Association will launch the 2nd National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge in March 2010. This national service learning program promotes the engagement of U.S. Hispanic college health students as organizers in a national donor recruitment campaign. The students organize blood drive campaigns on their college/university campuses as part of this national competition.
 

For 32 years, Chore Service has performed minor household repairs to help elderly and disabled remain safe in their homes. The driving force of Chore Service has been the dedicated, compassionate volunteers who perform the repairs. These are extraordinary people, willing to lend their time and considerable talents to help others.
 

A student learns that "art can be an exceptionally powerful tool toward communications and healing when words and discussions fall short." The exhibit she organizes is about restoring a connection: between victims of domestic violence and a community through a visual narrative form -- ART.
 

During the first "Make a Delicious Difference Week," 10,000 Kraft Foods employees in more than 32 countries gave their time to help fight hunger, support healthy lifestyles, and build stronger communities around the world. It was the largest volunteer initiative ever in Kraft Foods’ history.
 

Volunteers at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., have contributed more than 32,00 hours of service to the community. Celebrating 50 years of service, the hospital established the Sibley Heart Pillow Project this year to provide heart-shaped pillows to breast cancer patients for use after surgery.
 

The Lemon Lounge, a community project inspired by one little girl's dream to find the cure for childhood cancer, has raised nearly $1,500 for pediatric cancer research.
 

Today, girls face many obstacles. Girls in the Game empowers girls to overcome challenges. Game Day events introduce girls of all ages to different sports and fitness activities while teaching leadership, nutrition, and life-skills.
 

I know cancer all too well. It robbed me of my father, aunt, grandmother, and grandfather. Because of that, I know how important a helping hand can be for cancer patients and their families.
 

Tay-bandz, an nonprofit organization founded by a young cancer patient, raises public awareness about childhood cancer and funds for research.
 

Jobs and homes have been lost, but if Dr. Alan Singer can help it marriages will not be lost to this recession. Dr. Singer, a family therapist in central New Jersey, volunteers his services on the weekends for couples hard-hit by the recession.
 

Shafia Clinic is a community-oriented aternative for people who cannot afford medical treatment. Operated by a volunteer team of physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, Shifa Clinic also receives generous donations from the community.
 

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Kathy Calvin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the UN Foundation educated students about malaria and encouraged them to work within their communities to help prevent the deadly disease.
 

Pratyusha Yalamanchi is making a difference locally and globally.
 

I am a senior and member of the varsity cheerleading squad at Stone Bridge High School. This year I helped organize my team to participate in a community service project to commemorate September 11.
 

Students from 11 New York City schools competed in the first Teen Iron Chef competition of culinary skills and talent organized by HealthCorps®, Family Cook Productions and Urban Assembly School of Music and Art.
 

In addition to sharing a visual impairment, students in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Form in Art program also share a great enthusiasm for art, as is demonstrated by these works from their annual exhibition on display through August 2009.
 

The University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) Community Clinic is the first full-time community health center in the United States established by Muslims.
 

The Sharing the Harvest Community Farm Project is a collaboration between the Dartmouth YCMA and the Greater New Bedford Hunger Commission of Southeastern Massachusetts, a program of the United Way.
 

UPS human resource employees had an opportunity to spend an afternoon working with Women on the Rise, an organization that supports parenting and early childhood education.
 

These are the moments that make our job worth it. At any other camp, these kids would've been sent home days ago, but that's not true with us. We'll find some way to make it work. Because every kid deserves a chance to go to summer camp.
 

I have gotten more out of seeing the residences' smiles, their excitement, their love than I really can explain in words.
 

National Program Prepares Coaches to Help Athletes with Asthma.
 

The US Department of Health and Human Services partnered with Safe Shores on a back to school supply drive and flu educational event.
 

“It’s a good feeling to use my skills to volunteer and help the school," said Anne, a retired nurse serving her community.