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VALDOSTA – World AIDS Day is a global event dedicated to health organized on 1 December.
According to health officials in the region, this event offers people around the world the opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV / AIDS and commemorate the victims.
Althea Daniels, head of HIV prevention, said World AIDS Day was the first World Health Day. The first is held in 1988. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the wedding. Health District officials at South Health hope the contagious disease program will increase the date.
In collaboration with Valdosta State University, the ID program will organize a World AIDS Day event from 11.30 to 13.00. Friday, November 30, VSU at the University Center, Cypress Room.
Cass Marie Downing, HIV activist and advocate, will be the guest speaker, sharing her past with HIV addiction and diagnosis.
Downing was diagnosed HIV-positive at a time when the number of AIDS-related deaths had reached record levels, health officials said.
"Stigma, discrimination and fear did not stop Cass from living," Daniels said. "She chose to respond by becoming an advocate for HIV / AIDS through community work and HIV / AIDS resource centers. We are excited to have it as a speaker at the 30th anniversary celebration. "
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV today, and only one in seven knows it, health officials said. Young people are most likely to be unaware of their infection. Among HIV-positive people aged 13 to 24, about 51% do not know, they said.
To enable more people to know their HIV status, all health services in the counties of South Georgia (Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner) will propose a screening test. free of HIV, from 8 am to 5 pm Thursday, November 29th. No appointments are necessary.
A free HIV test will also take place after the November 30 event at Valdosta State University, from 1pm to 9pm. in the university center, Rose Room.
Lunch will be provided during the event. however, those interested in participating must register by calling (229) 245-8711, ext. 288 or 303. Online registration is also available at www.southhealthdistrict.com.
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