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World AIDS Day 2003 Spotlights Stigma and Discrimination An evening Community Observance of World AIDS Day will be held in Gastonia on Monday, December 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Stephens AME Zion Church at Unity Place, 201 West Franklin Boulevard. Sponsored by the Gaston World AIDS Day Coalition, the one-hour event will remember local residents and people throughout the world living with HIV and those who have died with AIDS. In addition, the service is designated to educate the community about the stigma and discrimination faced by people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. This year's World AIDS Day Coalition includes: the AIDS Council of Gaston County, Community HIV/AIDS Task Force, Gaston Chapter of the American Red Cross, Gaston County Health Department, Gaston Family Health Services, Gaston Memorial Hospital, the House of Mercy, and the Living Waters Community. "Oftentimes, discrimination can be the stumbling block to people seeking life prolonging treatment," said Carolyn Cadle, Coalition coordinator and services administrator for the AIDS Council of Gaston County. "Depression and despair are common for people living with HIV and these conditions can increase as a result of the climate in the community-at-large. Through events such as World AIDS Day, we can confront the issues of stigma and discrimination and breakdown the barriers that prevent people from getting treated. This is a time to remember those in our community and throughout the world who are needing support and encouragement, not judgement," Cadle added. Globally, there are more than 60 million people who have become infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), including 28 million who have already died. Nationally, a half-million men, women, and children have died with AIDS and currently there are a million Americans living with HIV infection. Among African-Americans between the ages of 24 and 44, AIDS is the leading cause of death. And locally, 654 Gaston County residents have been diagnosed with HIV Disease. The public is invited to participate in the local World AIDS Day Observance which will include an opportunity to light a candle in honor or memory of a family member or friend impacted by HIV/AIDS. For more information about World AIDS Day or to learn about HIV or AIDS, contact the AIDS Council of Gaston County at (704) 853-5101. |
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2002 American Red Cross, Gaston County Chapter |
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