ADHS
News Release:
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Arizona AIDS Community To Observe World AIDS Day 2006 |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
November 29, 2006 |
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| Contact: |
Michael Murphy,
Communications Director, ADHS (602) 542-1094 |
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Top health officials, the AIDS community and friends will gather Friday to commemorate World AIDS Day 2006, a day of global recognition of the impact of HIV/AIDS worldwide and locally.
"World AIDS Day takes on special significance this year because we mark the 25th anniversary of this tragic pandemic," Susan Gerard, Arizona Department of Health Services Director, said. "World AIDS Day reminds us that action makes a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We in Arizona are committed to playing a strong role in the 2006 theme for World AIDS Day to 'Stop AIDS, keep the promise'."
Added Dr. Bob England, Director of Public Health for Maricopa County: "An entire generation has grown up never knowing a time without AIDS. Better treatment has made our society more complacent about this epidemic that continues to kill our neighbors, our children."
Gerard and England will be among the speakers at a special ceremony Friday that will serve as an evening of remembrance and unity in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the community. The event will be held at Steele Indian School Park, Third Street and Indian School Road, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Local agencies will offer free HIV testing, information, entertainers, dancers, and awards.
Special guests include Kirk Baxter, founder of Body Positive, and Ramon Pratt, the Phoenix-born singer of spiritual messages who now lives in Los Angeles and travels the world sharing his inspirational music. |
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