University Park

World AIDS Day comes to Penn State

University Park, Pa. -- University Health Services will observe World AIDS Day on Friday (Nov. 30) through events held in the HUB-Robeson Center. The HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Advisory Council (HARRAC), Global AIDS Initiative (GAI) and the Department of Health Promotion and Wellness have arranged an eventful day that aims to spread knowledge about the risks of HIV/AIDS. The day involves free HIV testing and an information table at the HUB-Robeson Center.

World AIDS Day has been recognized on Dec. 1 since 1988. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, an estimated 38.6 million people worldwide were living with HIV at the end of 2005 and more than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. In response to these striking statistics, it is important to have testing facilities accessible to students on campus.

Free HIV testing will be available on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. in the HUB-Robeson Center. All students are eligible for testing, and walk-ins are welcome. Trained students will be on hand to answer questions or concerns students may have during the process. GAI has organized a variety of groups to staff tables in Alumni Hall. There also will be an exhibit of the AIDS Quilt, and red shoes depicting people from all walks of life affected by HIV will be on display throughout the building.

HARRAC volunteers and Council members will be managing an AIDS awareness information table on the ground floor of the HUB. Trained student leaders and Influential Peers will be able to answer any questions from students while increasing awareness about the risks and prevention of HIV/AIDS. There will be flyers, educational materials, condoms, and T-shirts to bring awareness to the day.

The Influential Peers program was created to increase safer sex practices among Penn State students. It is about friends influencing friends to instill a risk reduction norm among themselves. There will be also be training for new Influential Peers from 3 to 5 p.m. in room 106 in the HUB-Robeson Center on Nov. 30. To nominate yourself or a student to become an Influential Peer, or for more information, contact: Patricia Graham at pkg5001@psu.edu.

In addition to the events Friday, the HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Advisory Council (HARRAC) and Global AIDS Initiative (GAI) will hold a charity concert to observe World AIDS Day on Thursday Nov. 29. The event will be held at 7 p.m. at Sozo, 256 E. Beaver Ave. There will be a $5 cover charge.  All proceeds from the concert will benefit the YouthAIDS initiative. The events of this day hope to increase campus awareness about the importance of HIV/AIDS risk reduction.

Four bands will perform in the show, including North of Nittany, Lucky for Me, The Other Brothers Band and Cloverleaf. Trained student leaders and Influential Peers will be able to answer any questions from students while increasing awareness about the risks and prevention of HIV/AIDS. There will be flyers and educational materials from both HARRAC and GAI available at the event. T-shirts, bracelets, and necklaces will also be on sale throughout the performance.

YouthAIDS was started as an education and prevention initiative of PSI, which uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. They serve over 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care. YouthAIDS programs target and educate at-risk youth groups through a variety of ways, including the use of music and television, peer education and community mobilization.

These events hope to increase campus awareness about the importance of HIV/AIDS risk reduction and provide students with the opportunity to be tested. Dec. 1 serves to remind everyone that action makes a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For more information about World AIDS Day please visit www.dontignoreit.com or http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/days/world/index.html.

 

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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