Athens, Ga. – University Health Center staff and student volunteers will be out on campus on Thursday, Nov. 29 to remind the UGA community of the gravity of HIV/AIDS. They will be on the Tate Plaza and at the Arch from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. to commemorate World AIDS Day. Information about HIV/AIDS prevention, free condoms and red ribbons will be available.
This year the theme for World AIDS Day is “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise.” Twenty five percent of those who are HIV positive are not aware they have the virus. Getting an HIV test will help to slow down the transmission. The University Health Center offers anonymous HIV counseling and testing throughout the year. Five free rapid anonymous HIV tests will be done in the Health Promotion Department on Nov. 29. Tests are only available by appointment and can be made by calling 706/542-8690.
Currently, over 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. World AIDS Day commemorates the many people who have died fighting this disease. The World Health Organization declared the first World AIDS Day in 1988. Since then, Dec. 1 has been recognized and celebrated by people all around the world. The red ribbon has become known as the commemorative symbol for support of this day.