In honor of AIDS Awareness Week, the registered student organization African Cultural Association sponsored events to educate students about HIV/AIDS.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois has the seventh highest number of AIDS cases in the nation, with 30,000 reported cases of AIDS since 1981. Out of those 30,000 about 16,500 have died.
According to McKinley Health Center, there are more than 56,000 new HIV infections each year in the United States.
According to Jeff Badu, ACA board member and junior in Business, ACA has been organizing AIDS Awareness Week on campus for about 12 years.
“I think it’s important for people to become educated about AIDS Awareness Week because there are many facts that people are not aware of,” Badu said. “It encourages people to be careful, especially in their sexual lives.”
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AIDS Awareness Week, which followed AIDS Awareness Day on Dec. 1, was observed on campus from Dec. 3-7.
The events focused on explaining the symptoms of AIDS, eliminating myths about it, talking about prevention methods and sharing locations to get tested for the syndrome.
“AIDS Awareness Week is crucial because kids should be informed that this disease is real, and they can get it as easily as anyone who has gotten it,” said Brittany Okossi, freshman in Business. “Because students might engage in sexual activity and that is how AIDS is most commonly spread, it is crucial for college students to be informed.”
One of the largest events of the week took place Thursday night. ACA and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity hosted an open microphone night called “Confessions” to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS to students on campus. During the event, people suffering from HIV/AIDS shared their struggles through stories, poetry, skits and songs.
A spoken word group performed skits occasionally throughout the night. Representatives from McKinley Health Center also provided facts and tips about AIDS throughout the event.
“This event is very important because it allows people to put themselves in the shoes of the person in these stories. ‘Confessions’ raises awareness on how dangerous AIDS really is,” Badu said. “It can help a person prevent some of the mistakes that the people in these stories made.”
Although it might seem like the epidemic doesn’t affect students, it is important young adults know that this disease can be relevant at any age, said Sara Salmon, Sexual Health Peers vice president and senior in LAS.
“AIDS is in our community, and it’s on our campus,” she said. “It’s important you get tested and McKinley offers that opportunity. It’s in your control.”
Yele can be reached at [email protected].
