February 02, 2011
Event marks black HIV/AIDS awareness day
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- “We are greater than AIDS.” That’s the message of an event next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The “We > AIDS: National Black HIV Awareness Day” event will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in the lower level of Grinnell Hall. In recognition of that day as the 11th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), the Black Togetherness Organization, Residence Hall Association and Student Health Center-Wellness Center are sponsoring this informative dialogue.
According to the NBHAAD, HIV/AIDS was one of the top 10 causes of death for blacks in 2006 and the third leading cause for blacks ages 25-44. The national commemorative event advocates education, testing, involvement and treatment.
“The messages for the SIUC awareness day dialogue include Action is > Apathy and Safe is > Sorry. Deciding moments are everyday opportunities to take a stand against HIV -- to be ‘greater than’ the disease,” said Christy Hamilton, wellness coordinator at the SIUC Student Health Center Wellness Center. The discussion will focus on five ways people can be greater than the disease, she said.
The discussion is college-age appropriate and open to the community. There’s no cost involved.
For more information, contact Alfred Jackson at 618/536-2054 or by e-mail at ajackson@housing.siu.edu, or Christy Hamilton at 618/453-4431 or e-mail christy2@siu.edu.