Area to mark AIDS Day with various events
Tuesday marks World AIDS Day, observed in the Rochester region with a full week of education and prevention efforts.
More than 3,000 people — 12 out of every 100,000 people — in the multicounty Rochester metropolitan area are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, or with AIDS, short for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Those 2007 statistics were published this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on testing. But many others are likely infected and don’t know it because they haven’t been tested.
AIDS Community Health Center and AIDS Rochester announced the following events.
Tuesday: A panel discussion and HIV counseling and testing are offered from noon to 2 p.m. at Monroe Community College’s Damon City Campus, 228 East Main St., organized by The MOCHA Center. The 2007 film The Witnesses will be shown at 7 p.m. at St. John Fisher College, followed by a discussion. The 9th annual PeaceArt World AIDS Day Concert of dance, song and spoken word starts at 7:30 p.m. at Lake Avenue Baptist Church, 72 Ambrose St. At the Family Planning Center, 405 Exchange St., Geneva, HIV testing is offered all day in collaboration with the Finger Lakes AIDS Task Force and AIDS Rochester. Free, walk-in testing is offered from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (and every Tuesday and Thursday) at AIDS Community Health Center and AIDS Rochester, 259 Monroe Ave.
Wednesday: The University of Rochester Health Services Building holds free HIV counseling and testing for UR students by appointment only; call (585) 275-2662. A free meal is offered for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS at 5:15 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 815 Park Ave. There will also be resources, short testimonies and an award ceremony. At 7 p.m., a service at the church titled “Sharing the Gift of Love” will include a message from Episcopal Bishop of Rochester Prince Singh and singing by the gospel choir of Spiritus Christi Church.
Thursday: Free walk-in testing for HIV is offered from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 259 Monroe Ave.
Friday: A panel discussion will include medical experts and people living with HIV, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Havens Lounge at Wilson Commons, University of Rochester.
Saturday: Action for a Better Community’s Health Education and Advocacy Response Team holds a World AIDS Day Conference for Women from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Unity St. Mary’s Campus, 89 Genesee St.
Sunday: Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 250 Dr. Samuel McCree Way, has services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. followed by a presentation by AIDS Community Health Center Minority AIDS Initiative staff and HIV testing.
Dec. 7: New Creations Unisex Shop, 647 Jefferson Ave., will hold HIV testing from 4 to 7 p.m. in collaboration with Willie Lightfoot Jr.’s Cut the Violence Campaign.
For more, e-mail Steven Price, sprice@aidsrochester.org or call (585) 442-2220.
