Today Bermuda will celebrate World AIDS Day with a message of hope -- even for those living with the disease.

And the focus of the tenth annual events is on children -- those infected and those who hopefully never will be if given the right education.

But a dark cloud hangs over this year's observance as world and local statistics revealed the extent of how widespread this disease has become.

On Friday, it was announced that since 1985, the number of locals who had contracted the disease had reached the 400 mark.

AIDS activist and sufferer Celeste DeShields told The Royal Gazette that despite the figures and fear and intolerance directed towards victims of the disease, she was optimistic that life for those with AIDS will get better.

"I am living proof that you can live with AIDS,'' she said. "You have to keep a positive attitude.'' Ms DeShields was deliberately infected with the disease by a partner. In the four years since, she has not displayed any symptoms of the disease.

But this does not mean her struggle is an easy one. Ms DeShields said people still discriminate against her.

"I don't let it bother me,'' she said. "Those who have HIV or AIDS shouldn't be afraid or ashamed. Just remember that it could happen to anybody.'' Ms DeShields said she preaches her positive message to the young people in a bid to raise their awareness.

"They are not sending out the right message,'' she said as she points to officials taking part in the Proclamation Ceremony for World AIDS Day. "In order to get through to them you have to say `You get high, you get stupid, you get AIDS'.'' For the last two years, Ms DeShields has made a personal contribution to World AIDS Day -- an enormous quilt.

"I always said I would make a quilt and in 1995, I did one,'' she said with great pride. "It took me two weeks to make.'' Ms DeShields also issued a warning for health officials -- that the incidence of AIDS in Bermuda is higher than they think.

"A lot more people have, they are just not coming forward,'' she claimed.

"They need to stop telling us that we can still have sex, or some types of sex. You can't.'' Earlier this week the United Nations released startling statistics which showed that AIDS was more widespread than officials thought.

According to the Associated Press: