Posted 11:53 pm Friday, November 30, 2012
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Tyler group promoting AIDS Day
Staff Reports
People in Tyler plan Saturday to acknowledge World AIDS Day 2012 with a short program at Bergfeld Park.
The event, set for 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to highlight the importance of HIV testing and public awareness about the disease, includes a 10:20 a.m. balloon release.
The theme of this year's observation is "Getting to Zero," organizers said.
"The community has been recognizing World Awareness day for a number of years," Jeanette Deas Calhoun, Ph.D., executive director of East Texas CARES Resource Center, said. "This event includes minute at the mike, allowing people with strong opinions to say how they feel."
Mrs. Calhoun serves also as co-chairwoman of MPowering Women Over HIV.
Worldwide, about 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS; of those about 1.1 million are in the United States.
About 48,100 million new cases reported each year.
"Just looking at the numbers, we definitely have an uphill challenge ahead," she said.
Saturday's event follows a Thursday gathering, A World AIDS Knowledge Event, aimed at highlighting the dangers of unprotected sexual activity to college students.
More than 100 young people from area colleges attended, organizers said.
