World AIDS Day Recognition Program on December 2

from Erie County HIV Task Force

On Monday, December 2, the Erie County HIV Task Force presented a program for World AIDS Day at Blasco Public Library, 160 East Front Str, Erie PA. Joy Henry, Disease Intervention Specialist Chair for Erie County Department of Health served as moderator. Erie City Mayor Joe Schember spoke about HIV effects. Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper gave an overview on HIV, and pointed out that the HIV cases per capita were lower in Erie County than the state and national averages, crediting the work of Erie County HIV Task Force partners. Sonny Concepcion, High Impact HIV Prevention Specialist at Northwest Alliance, gave a history of the AIDS Quilt. Panels from the AIDS Quilt have been displayed in Erie as far back as the late 90's. Andi Fair, nurse practitioner at Adagio Health, presented info about PrEP and HIV risk. PrEP is available at Adagio Health and Community Health Net, and there is also an online PrEP locator linked at https://echiv.org/prep-locator/. Preston gave a personal story about living with HIV. The event concluded with a candlelight service in front of the library in honor of those living with HIV and remembering those who had died of HIV/AIDS.

Photos

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