AHF marks World AIDS Day nationwide with Advocacy, HIV Testing in 14 Cities

In News by AHF

As the world collectively pauses on December 1st to commemorate the successes, losses, and continuing aspirations in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS, AHF is marking World AIDS Day with special events from coast to coast in nine different states
To mark the 25th observation of World AIDS Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization is spearheading free HIV testing and awareness events in 28 countries around the globe, including commemorations in 14 U.S. cities. Under the pervading theme of “Treatment = Life / No Retreat on AIDS,” AHF’s global activities aim to help people to know their HIV status, stay informed on the latest treatment and advocacy around the disease, and responsibly protect themselves and others from HIV infection. (NOTE: A full nationwide schedule of events is provided below). 

“We at AHF are so proud to be part of events throughout the United States this World AIDS Day, as well as in 27 others countries around the world,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AHF. “We’re so proud to be providing care for 250,000 people worldwide, but we can’t slow down now. Through these testing and outreach events, we hope that hundreds of thousands of Americans take the opportunity to mark World AIDS Day by learning their status and learning more about how to prevent the spread of HIV and where to access treatment if they need it.”

 

In addition to the multitude of events occurring in the United States, AHF will also be participating in World AIDS Day testing and awareness events in 28 other countries worldwide: Argentina, Cambodia, China, Estonia, Ethiopia, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Eswatini, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Zambia.

 

“This year’s World AIDS Day theme for AHF globally is ‘Treatment = Life / No Retreat on AIDS,’ and that’s exactly what we hope people take away from these diverse and abundant events: that knowing your HIV status is an important part of routine health maintenance, and that care is immediately accessible if it’s needed, and that it is crucial to get onto a healthy treatment regimen as early as possible if you’re living with HIV,” said Terri Ford, AHF’s Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy. “Additionally, we hope people are reminded that the fight against AIDS is far from over, and we need to continue reminding government officials at every level to do all they can to make treatment and prevention opportunities universally accessible.”

 

“World AIDS Day is a memorial day when, for the past 25 years, the world comes together and pauses to remember how far we’ve already come in this fight, remember the lives at stake, and recommit to doing all we can to change the course of the AIDS epidemic,” said Jorge Saavedra, AHF’s Global Ambassador. “Whether you’re in Columbus, Ohio or Kampala, Uganda, you have a say in this fight, and we all must make our voices heard.”

 

Domestic AHF World AIDS Day Events (By Region)

 

FLORIDA

·       Miami – Dade / Fort Lauderdale

o   November 28 – December 1 – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

§  CONTACT: Gregory Jacques – (954) 604-3648

§  Free HIV Testing and Condom Distribution

·       Fort Lauderdale Out of the Closet Thrift Store

1785 E. Sunrise Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL  33305

o   November 29 – 10: 00 am – 7:00 pm

§  Free HIV Testing and Condom Distribution

·       Broward Wellness Center

700 SE 3rd Ave., Suite 200

Fort Lauderdale, FL  33316

o   November 30 – 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

§  CONTACT: Eric Boyd – (954) 604-3648

§  Free HIV Testing and Condom Distribution

·       Oakland Park Flea Market

3161 W. Oakland Park Blvd.

Oakland Park, FL  33311

o   December 7 – 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

§  Free HIV Testing and Condom Distribution

·       World AIDS Day Health Fair in Griffin Park

12220 Griffin Park Blvd.

North Miami, FL  33161

·       Tampa: December 1 – 7:00 pm

o   Florida premiere of AHF Documentary “Keep the Promise: The Global Fight Against AIDS” alongside the dramatic short film “STIGMA” at the International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

§  Muvico Centro Ybor 20

1600 E. 8th Avenue, A200

Tampa, FL  33605

·       Tickets: $10 or $8 with donation of canned good for the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas Food Bank OR an unwrapped children’s holiday gift for Metro Wellness

·       MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/events/606639469398315/

·       St. Petersburg: December 6 – 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

o   Free HIV Testing at Williams Park annual festival

o   Williams Park

Corner of 4th Ave. N and 1st Ave. N

St. Petersburg, FL  33712

o   CONTACT: Guttenberg Pierre – (813) 952-6029

·       Wilton Manors: December 1

o   Group candlelight walk through Wilton Manors

§  Meet up at 6:30 pm in Hagen Park (2020 Wilton Dr., behind Wilton Manors City Hall)

§  March begins at 7:00 pm and ends at 7:45 pm at Pride Center Equality Park (2040 Dixie Hwy)

§  Candlelight vigil to follow

o   CONTACT: Mark Martin – (954) 383-8007

 

GEORGIA

·       Atlanta: December 1 – 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

o   CONTACT: (404) 623-8330

o   Free HIV testing in coordination with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

§  Walgreens

315 Fairview Rd.

Ellenwood, GA  30294

 

LOS ANGELES

o   December 1

o   CONTACT: Anthony Marshall – (323) 828-3428

o   Gospel concert, free HIV testing and free condom distribution

§  OASIS Church: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

1376 E. 18th St.

Los Angeles, CA  90021

 

§  Vintage Hollywood: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

4000 W. Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90043

 

§  UltraSuede: 9:00 pm – 2:00 am

661 N. Robertson Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA  90069

 

NEW YORK CITY

o   December 4 – Hell’s Kitchen

o   Free HIV testing

§  6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

§  Intersection of 50th Street and 9th Avenue

§  CONTACT: (917) 246-9748

o   December 5 – Coney Island

o   Free HIV Testing

§  11:00 am – 3:00 pm

§  Amethyst Women’s Project

1907 Mermaid Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11224

§  CONTACT: (718) 333-2067

o   December 5 – Chelsea

o   Free HIV Testing

§  6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

§  Intersection of 19th Street and 8th Avenue

§  CONTACT: (917) 246-7478

o   December 6 – Manhattan

o   Free HIV Testing at the Legends Ball

§  5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

§  Grand Street Settlement

80 Pitt Street

New York, NY  10002

§  CONTACT: (917) 246-7497

 

NORTH CAROLINA

·       CONTACT: Art Jackson – (910) 213-8023

·       Fayetteville

o   December 1

§  Free HIV Testing & Condom Distribution: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

·       Fayetteville State University

1200 Murchinson Rd.

Fayetteville, NC  28301

§  March & Rally: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

·       Begins at Orange Street School

600 Orange St.

Fayetteville, NC  28301

·       Ends at Fayetteville City Hall

433 Hay St.

Fayetteville, NC  28301

o   December 3

§  Free HIV Testing & Condom Distribution: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

·       Fayetteville State University

1200 Murchinson Rd.

Fayetteville, NC  28301

 

OHIO

·       Cleveland: December 2 – 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

o   Grand opening / dedication ceremony of AHF/Taskforce Headquarters

o   2829 Euclid Ave.

Cleveland, OH  44115

CONTACT: (216) 621-0766

·       Columbus

o   December 1 – 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

§  Human red ribbon formation on capitol steps (Please note: There will be no HIV testing at this event)

·       1 Capitol Square

Columbus, OH  43215

CONTACT: Joseph Terrill – (213) 453-3630

o   December 3 – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

§  Free HIV Testing

·       Out of the Closet Thrift Store

1230 N. High St.

Columbus, OH  43201

CONTACT: (614) 291-2680

 

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

·       San Francisco

o   December 1 – 7:00 pm

§  Screening of AHF documentary “Keep the Promise: The Global Fight Against AIDS” along with gospel choir, spoken word, and panel presentation

·       Roxy Theater

3117 16th St

San Francisco, CA  94103

CONTACT: (415) 863-1087

·       Oakland

o   December 1 – 2:00 pm

§  Screening of AHF documentary “Keep the Promise: The Global Fight Against AIDS” along with gospel choir, spoken word, and panel presentation

·       New Park Theater

474 24th St.

Oakland, CA  94612

CONTACT: (510) 658-7900

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

·       December 4: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

o   World AIDS Day Commemoration with special guest speakers Michael Kahane (AHF Southern Bureau Chief) and Marco Benjamin (Condom Nation Program Manager)

o   Free HIV Testing

§  South Carolina State House

1100 Gervais St.

Columbia, SC  29201

o   CONTACT: Marco Benjamin – (347) 577-2757

TEXAS

·       Dallas: December 1 – 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

o   World AIDS Day Expo sponsored by AHF (free HIV testing available)

§  South Campus, Tarrant County College

5301 Campus Dr.

Fort Worth, TX   76119

o   CONTACT: (214) 335-4098

 

WASHINGTON, DC

·       CONTACT: (202) 628-4317

·       December 2 – 4:00 pm – 8:30 pm

o   Memorial Quilt carried from First Congregational United Church of Christ to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library – 4:00 pm

§  First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St. NW

Washington, DC  20001

o   AHF induction ceremony into “Local Heroes” Hall of Fame – 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm

§  Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library

901 G St. NW

Washington, DC  20001

o   Free HIV Testing – 12:30 pm – 8:30 pm

§  Intersection of G St. and 9th St. NW

Washington, DC  20001

 

For additional information, please contact the following AHF regional representatives:

Los Angeles: Alexander Goncalvez – (213) 405-5817 or [email protected]

San Francisco Bay Area: Dale Gluth – (415) 218-9587 or [email protected]

Texas: Bret Camp – (214) 533-2267 or [email protected]

New York City: Michael Camacho – (646) 265-7460 or [email protected]

Florida / D.C. / Georgia / North Carolina / South Carolina: Michael Kahane – (954) 522-3132 or [email protected]

Ohio: Adam Ouderkirk – (415) 519-1759 or [email protected]

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