Wyoming Observes HIV/AIDS Awareness Week April 16-21 |  
|
April 13, 2007 -- A week of HIV/AIDS awareness activities at the University of Wyoming concludes Saturday, April 21, with the sixth annual Wyoming AIDS Walk.
WyoAIDS Walk is a 5K-pledge originating at Prexy's Pasture. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. with Brent Sherard, director of the Wyoming Department of Health. Walkers return to Prexy's Pasture for a barbeque, awards and other activities.
Event proceeds benefit Wyoming residents living with HIV/AIDS. The walk has raised more than $64,000 to help meet medical, dental, vision, counseling and other needs of these people and their families. The fundraiser has benefited more than 150 people statewide.
"This event has become so crucial in the lives of the people it benefits. At times, AIDS Walk money is the only source of funding we have to help clients throughout Wyoming with personal and medical necessities," says Bob Hooker, Albany County AIDS project representative and a WyoAIDS Walk organizer.
WyoAIDS Walk is now the largest single annual HIV fundraising and awareness event in Wyoming, Hooker notes. He says several state agencies, individual volunteers, and student and community organizations make WyoAIDS Walk education and benefit events possible.
The week's activities are free and open to the public. To download a pledge form, make a donation, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.wyoaidswalk.org or e-mail info@wyoaidswalk.org. The full event schedule is:
Monday, April 16-Friday, April 20 -- NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt on display in the Wyoming Union ballroom. Opening ceremonies take place Monday at noon. Daily viewing times are Monday, noon-6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m-6 p.m., Thursday, noon-9 p.m. and Friday, noon-11 p.m.
Monday, April 16-Friday, April 20 -- Free and confidential HIV testing at the UW Campus Wellness Center. Daily testing will be available Monday, noon-2 p.m., Tuesday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, 2-4 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Friday, 2-4 p.m. Call 766-3546 for an appointment.
Thursday, April 19, 7-8 p.m. -- Sandra Pohl, epidemiologist and specialist for the Wyoming Department of Health HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, delivers the keynote address, "A Perspective on HIV/AIDS in Africa," in the College of Business auditorium.
Friday, April 20, 9 p.m. -- Friday Night Fever sponsors "bags of hope" in the lower level of the Wyoming Union. Participants will assemble kits to send to Africa to help the AIDS pandemic. An informational video about HIV/AIDS will be shown.
Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. -- WyoAIDS Walk registration begins at 9 a.m. in Prexy's Pasture. Opening ceremonies start at 11 a.m., followed by the walk and a participant barbeque.
Saturday, April 21, 6 p.m. -- Drag Queen Bingo and Auction WyoAIDS walk fundraiser at the Laramie Moose Lodge, 409 S. 3rd St. Doors open at 6 p.m., bingo starts at 7 p.m., and seating is limited to the first 200 arrivals.
Posted on Friday, April 13, 2007
|
