In efforts to increase community awareness about HIV/AIDS, Ball State University organizations will stretch World AIDS Day into a week of events.
Health Educator Lisa Thomason said World AIDS Day is dedicated throughout the world to educating people on the effects and causes of HIV/AIDS. The day is actually on Saturday but will be recognized throughout the week, she said.
This year's theme, determined by the United Nations, is "Stop AIDS. Keep the promise," she said.
"It's a two-sentence reminder that even though the virus is not getting the attention it used to, it's still important for our global society to advance treatment options, prevent the virus from spreading, help find a cure and raise awareness," Thomason said.
During the week's first event, students will have the opportunity to be orally tested for HIV Thursday in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center. Testing will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rooms 301 and 302, she said.
Thomason said participants would remain completely anonymous throughout the process. They will be assigned a number, which will be their only form of identification, she said.
The OraQuick tests are administered orally by swabbing along the gumline and the cheek and collecting cell samples, she said.
"The thought of needles and drawing blood can be barriers for people and stand in the way of them getting tested," she said. "We are breaking down some of those barriers for them."
After the test, participants will wait for a short amount of time to receive the results of their test in a private setting, Thomason said.
The testing session is co-sponsored by Ball State Health Education, The Indiana Family Health Council, Open Door Family Planning, The Delaware County Health Department, Meridian Services and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, she said.
Thomason said testing for HIV was important because Health Education surveys showed that many Ball State students are sexually active.
The awareness events continue Friday with a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross, Ball State Student Government Association, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and Spectrum, Thomason said.
SGA Treasurer Zac Davis said the blood drive, which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Park Hall's Multipurpose Room, was an opportunity for people to volunteer and help make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Later that night, Creative Minds Entertainment will host a fashion show in Cardinal Hall.
Co-founder Annette Campbell said the fashion show would begin at 7 p.m. and would combine entertainment and education, informing students about the effects of the virus and giving them the tools to make a difference.
One-dollar donations will be accepted and given to the National AIDS Fund, she said.
The week of events ends with "A Day Without Art," Thomason said.
Tania Said, education curator at the Ball State Museum of Art, said two sculptures, "Rising Day" and "Descending Night," would be covered with a sheer, black fabric. The veiled sculptures represent the loss of people who have contributed to world culture in significant ways, she said.
"It's important for students to consider living without art and the contributions of artists throughout the world," she said.
The week of events is a way to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS among Ball State students, faculty and staff.
"It's easy to think that because we don't live in Africa or Asia we can let our guards down," Thomason said. "It's still present here and should be treated as such."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
