K-State groups sponsoring World Aids Week events

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Source: Carol Kennedy, 785-532-6595, carolk@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Carol Kennedy

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

K-STATE GROUPS SPONSORING WORLD AIDS WEEK EVENTS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University will observe World AIDS Week 2006, Nov. 27-Dec. 2, with a variety of activities.

Several campus and community organizations are collaborating on the week of events to help increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. Sponsoring K-State organizations include: Acting on AIDS; Queer-Straight Alliance; Artists for AIDS Awareness; the Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators; and Lafene Health Center.

"It has been 25 years since the AIDS epidemic began," said Carol Kennedy, director of health promotions and nutrition counseling at Lafene Health Center. "These awareness events will provide an opportunity to learn more about the disease and how it affects each of us in some way.

"All of us can do something to support efforts to decrease the transmission of HIV," she said. "According to the Centers for Disease Control, among youth, minorities and girls are groups that have been disproportionately infected by HIV/AIDS. Females comprise a larger share of HIV/AIDS cases among teens than among adults. African-Americans represented 61 percent of HIV/AIDS cases among people 13-24 years old."

Testing is an integral part of preventing the spread of HIV, Kennedy said. HIV testing is offered at CDC-publicly funded testing sites, which includes the Riley County Health Department. On campus, K-State students can get tested at Lafene Health Center. Other testing options include HIV counseling and testing centers, health departments, hospitals, private doctors offices and clinics for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Kennedy said most HIV testing in the United States is conducted in private doctors' offices.

Activities for World AIDS Week 2006 at K-State include the sale of a limited number of AIDS awareness T-shirts, $10 each, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the food court at the K-State Student Union through Friday. Other events include:

Tuesday, Nov. 28 -- The movie, "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me," 8 p.m., Union's Little Theater. The movie, with adult content, chronicles key events in one gay man's sexual and political coming-of-age, from his first kiss at 16 to his mourning of dead lovers 20 years later.

Wednesday, Nov. 29 -- Red String Display, all day, on the campus quad between Waters Hall and Hale Library.

Friday, Dec. 1 -- The "Lives are at Stake" display, provided by Acting on AIDS, a daylong event on campus; and the AIDS Walk, hosted by the Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators. The walk starts at 4:45 p.m. on the Union's Bosco Plaza. It will end in front of Varney's in Aggieville with a remembrance candle lighting and the dedication of a quilt piece. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided by Blue Stem Bistro and Planet Sub.

Saturday, Dec. 2 -- The Artists for AIDS Awareness Closing Gala and Silent Donation Art Exhibit, 6-9 p.m., Main Ballroom at the Union. All proceeds will benefit the Regional AIDS Project.