MCC to observe World AIDS Day with testing, seminars

McHenry County College will observe World AIDS Day Thursday, Dec. 1, with a series of events, including HIV testing and safe sex seminars. The day will conclude with a docudrama on AIDS and stories from individuals living with the disease.

The schedule of events includes: free confidential HIV testing for at-risk individuals from 9 to 11 a.m. in Room B168-169; safe sex/proper use of condoms seminar from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in Room B168-169; safe sex/proper use of condoms seminar from 1:30 to 2 p.m. in Room A240, Bersted Lecture Hall; free confidential HIV testing for at-risk individuals from 2 to 4 p.m. in Room A240, Bersted Lecture Hall; “And the Band Played On,” a docudrama on AIDS, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Center; and “And the Band Played On,” a docudrama on AIDS and a program featuring several people who will share their own stories of living with AIDS, from 6 to 10 p.m. in Room A240, Bersted Lecture Hall.

McHenry County College is partnering with the McHenry County Department of Health and the Open Door Clinic of Elgin to present this opportunity for testing and education on AIDS to both the college community and the community at large. Despite the widespread information that is available, large numbers of people continue to be infected with the HIV either through the use of shared needles, unprotected sex, or contamination with the body fluids of HIV positive individuals.

Sections of the AIDS quilt will be on public display in the college's Commons Area Monday through Thursday, Nov. 28-Dec. 1.

Red Ribbon pins will be available from members of MCC's Pride Club Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for a donation of $1. Proceeds will benefit the Open Door Clinic. HIV testing also will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in Room B168-169.

All of these events are free and open to the public.

For more information, call Lena Kalemba, director of Health and Wellness at MCC, at (815) 455-8581 or email to lkalemba@mchenry.edu.