December 1st marks National Aids Day, and officials and individuals in South Florida are doing their part to raise awareness throughout the community.
On Friday, the Broward County Chapter of Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) will join the City of Fort Lauderdale at the 2017 “Light Up Sistrunk” event -- featuring a holiday wonderland and toy giveaway, free HIV, STI and Hepatitis testing, and access to community providers and resources.
- What: Light Up Sistrunk
- When: Friday, December 1st, starting at 5:00 pm
- Where: Historic Sistrunk Boulevard NW 9 Avenue to NW 11 Avenue
“We are proud to partner with BTAN for Light Up Sistrunk and World AIDS Day,” said Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Robert L. McKinzie. “This holiday spectacular helps build community and spread the spirit of the season; raises awareness about the importance of HIV education, prevention, and treatment; while highlighting the array of community resources available for support.”
For more information, click here.
Also on Friday, the Broward House will host a World Aids Day Vigil and Remembrance Walk. According to Broward House's website:
[We walk because] One in 78 individuals ages 13 and older in Broward County are HIV+. In the United States, we have experienced 636,000 deaths of individuals with an AIDS diagnosis. In the US, over 1.1 million individuals are living with HIV/ AIDS and almost 1 in 6 are unaware of their infection. Thousands still do not receive treatment due to a lack of information or the stigma that remains. We work throughout the year to change these numbers. It takes many advocates, individuals, social service agencies, medical providers, and businesses to influence this change.
- What: World Aids Day Vigil and Remembrance Walk
- When: Friday, December 1st, gathering at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Hagden Park 2020 Wilton Drive
For more information, click here.
Miami-Dade County, along with the Florida Department of Health, will host a number of events in honor of World Aids Day throughout the next week.
"We encourage individuals to unite in the fight against HIV, create awareness, and get tested for HIV," says Dr. Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, PhD, Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. "Getting tested and treated can save your life and prevent new infections."