University Park, Pa. -- The HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Advisory Council announces its campaign kickoff of the HIV/AIDS "Don't Ignore it. Prevent it." Campaign during the week of Feb. 9 on the University Park campus.
The program is run through University Health Services' Office of Health Promotion and Education as a result of the $7,200 grant Penn State received from the National Association for Student Affairs Administrators. The purpose of the project is to increase awareness and education about the disease so that students can make healthy sexual decisions.
Throughout the week in 106 HUB-Robeson Center, there will be a display of photographs and letters written by AIDS patients collected by the Franklin Institute (Philadelphia), Women First, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Posters that illustrate correct condom use by using a graphic of a banana and other posters featuring sexual health information will be displayed throughout the University Park campus and within the community.
Additionally, a costumed banana character will be walking around the HUB-Robeson Center to raise awareness of the educational campaign.
Trained community health advocates will be distributing coupons for free condoms and HIV tests. The council and the health advocates will be wearing red t-shirts with the "Don't Ignore it. Prevent it." slogan to raise consciousness about HIV/AIDS and its prevalence.