I want to let you know that my friends, the Shapiros, have a very important issue that is near and dear to their heart...

Their son Brent struggled with drug and alcohol addiction starting at a young age. After months of sobriety, Brent decided to experiment with alcohol and ecstasy and passed away a day later.

It is their mission to keep us all informed about drugs and alcohol, and they are holding an eBay auction for the Brent Shapiro Foundation.

There are some amazing items on the auction block including floor seats to a Lakers game!

Bid here and make a difference! 

Did you know that roughly 33 million people worldwide* have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and that 25 million people* have died from the disease?

Today is World AIDS Day and I want to send a message of awareness and hope in honor of all of the victims of this terrible epidemic.

When I was young, a friend of my mom's passed away after battling AIDS. It is something that has hit home with me and that I have grown up being aware of.

Researchers appear closer to a vaccine and the World Health Organization has released a strategy to contain HIV in the next ten years. A key part of the WHO's plan:  prevention.

Have you been tested? Are you practicing safe sex? 

* United Nations estimate

AIDS awareness is so important. I wore these bracelets made in Africa to help bring awareness...

In case you can't read the text in the picture it says:

Yesterday I did a public service announcement for breast cancer.

My grandma MJ is a breast cancer survivor. She had both breast cancer then colon cancer over 15 years ago. She is such a fighter!

I encourage every girl to do a self breast exam!

My sisters and I recently did a public service announcement about the country of Burma's struggle for freedom. Their Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is imprisoned right now and has endured torture.

It's an incredible story and I'm honored to have helped raise awareness about Burma's plight. Over all it was a really fun and eye-opening experience!

We filmed the commercial at our store Dash. They wanted to show us in our natural enviorment yet still learning and spreading the word!

Did you know about the plight of Burma before this post? Do you plan to take any action?