[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: World AIDS Day

[Press Releases]

November 29, 2010                                For immediate release.
 
World AIDS Day – Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
 
All across the globe, people will observe World AIDS Day on Wednesday, 
December 1, 2010.  Five organizations have joined forces to plan World AIDS Day events for Mid Missourians. Representatives from Rain-Central Missouri, Inc. (Rain), Trail to a Cure (TTAC), Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education (SHAPE), University of Missouri Student Health Center and the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health & Human Services have been meeting for months to discuss the best way to, “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” 
“This is the biggest planning committee we’ve seen in a long time,” stated Cale Mitchell, Rain Executive Director. “It’s great when everyone gets involved, then it truly is a community event,” said Mitchell. 2010 activities begin with free HIV testing at the Rain office on Wilkes Blvd. and at Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union on MU’s campus. Visitors to Stotler will be given the opportunity to create pieces for an MU AIDS Day Quilt and decorate cookies. 
A Remembrance Service from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. will be held at the A. P. Green Chapel, located next door to Memorial Union. From the A. P. Chapel, participants will travel in a candlelight procession to Ninth Street to Broadway. A candlelight vigil will be held on the corners of Ninth Street and Broadway to increase awareness of HIV in our community. 
The public is encouraged to participate by getting tested, working on a quilt piece, attending the Memorial Service, marching downtown, joining the candlelight vigil or honking as they drive by. World AIDS Day is a day for remembering those who have lost the battle against AIDS, and showing support for those continuing to fight. For more information regarding HIV/AIDS and World AIDS Day contact Rain at (573) 875-8687 or at info at missourirain.org. 
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