advertisement

Lake County to host World AIDS Day event

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, as a member of the Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition, is sponsoring a free community event to commemorate World AIDS Day Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Waukegan High School's Trapp Auditorium, 2325 Brookside in Waukegan.

World AIDS Day is a global event held annually Dec. 1 to honor individuals living with HIV, the families, friends, caregivers and communities who support them, and those that have lost their battle against HIV.

This year's event will feature inspirational thoughts, performances from local artists and a candle-lighting ceremony. A free dinner for all attendees will immediately follow. The event is open to the public.

Stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important, as it reminds the community that HIV has not gone away - there is still a vital need to increase awareness, fight stigma and improve education.

The Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition is a collaboration of community members, including the health department, Catholic Charities of Lake County, Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance's The Harbor, Angles, the Office of State Representative Rita Mayfield, Prairie State Legal Services, YWCA, Lake County Board member Mary Ross Cunningham, the office of Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and community volunteers.

The World AIDS Day event is also supported by the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Waukegan High School.

The coalition members work together for capacity building, advocacy and the elimination of HIV-related stigma. This stigma includes unfavorable attitudes, beliefs, and policies directed toward people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as their loved ones and communities.

Stigma prevents people from getting tested, seeking medical care and living full and healthy lives.

For information about the event, call the health department's Sexually Transmitted Infections Program at (847) 377-8450.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.