VSU Celebrates World AIDS Day All Week

VALDOSTA - The Valdosta State University community will celebrate World Aids Day 2007 with a week full of events that promote HIV/AIDS awareness and address related issues. Following the 2007 theme “Take the Lead,” the following events are free to the public and anyone who wants to acknowledge the impact that HIV/AIDS has on the local community and the world.

Tuesday through Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Dec. 7
* Health Promotions is sponsoring a teddy bear drive. Collected teddy bears will be given to children in the Lowndes County and surrounding communities who are suffering from AIDS. Please drop off donations at the Education Center, University Center, the University Union and Pound Hall.

Tuesday, Nov. 27
* 6 p.m. Candlelight vigil at the Lowndes County Courthouse on Central Avenue

Wednesday, Nov. 28
* 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Free HIV Testing at the Department of Labor on South Ashley Street

Thursday, Nov. 29
* 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Free HIV testing with results in 20 minutes in the University Center lobby
* 3 p.m. Special presentation by Gil Robertson, author of “Not in My Family: AIDS in the African American Community,” in the VSU University Center, Cypress Room. Robertson is a journalist, author and media consultant who is responsible for literary works and intellectual properties that create dialogues for social change and personal growth. His best-selling anthology features thoughts and solutions from a wide cross section of African Americans on the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Friday, Nov. 30
* Wear the color red in remembrance of those who are infected with HIV/AIDS

Saturday, Dec. 1
* 10 a.m. until noon Commemoration Walk at the VSU P.E. Complex
* Mayor John Fretti will give a 2007 World AIDS Day proclamation

South Health District has collaborated with VSU and other organizations to create this weeklong series of events for World AIDS Day in an effort to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. For more information, call Denys Fluitt at (229) 245-8711, ext. 241.