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Twenty-one years ago today, health ministers from around the world gathered to establish a World AIDS Day. Since then, much has changed in terms of HIV/AIDS treatment, awareness and prevention. Despite the progress, though, people still die in staggering numbers from the disease.
There are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children, according to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. During 2008, about 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 2 million people died from AIDS. About half of all people who become infected with HIV before they are 25 die from AIDS before they are 35 1/2 years old.
The majority of people with HIV and AIDS now live in low- and middle-income countries. But HIV continues to threaten men, women and children all over the world.
In Fort Wayne, the AIDS Task Force, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Health Department, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and Charles Miller are hosting several World AIDS Day events. The activities are designed to raise awareness, fight stigma and discrimination and remind people that HIV and AIDS have not gone away.
Locally planned events:
•Anthis Career Center, 1200 Barr St.; 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
West Noble High School students will conduct two performances of Kathy Sorenson’s one-act play, “Waking Up: Endangered Species.” More than 1,000 students will be wearing red ribbons in recognition of World AIDS Day.
•Fort Wayne Museum of Art,
311 E Main St
.; 10 a.m.
The museum will unveil a banner featuring artwork from Keith Haring’s 1980s ACT UP series. Haring, famous for his graffiti-style pop art, was an internationally renowned artist and a passionate activist. He died of AIDS-related complications at age 31 on Feb. 16, 1990. The banner will be visible from Main Street for six weeks.
•Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery inside the Allen County Public Library,
900 Library Plaza
; 5 to 6 p.m.
The AIDS Task Force will unveil its Facing HIV/AIDS exhibit, a portrayal of people living with HIV and AIDS in northeast Indiana. The reception is free, and light refreshments will be served.
•IPFW Red Ribbon Campaign; all day
1,500 students will be wearing red ribbons to recognize the day.
