Erie County HIV Task Force World AIDS Day Event at Blasco Library on December 1

On Wednesday December 1, 2021, the Erie County HIV Task Force will present this year's World AIDS Day program at the H.O. Hirt Auditorium inside the Blasco Library, 160 East Front Street, Erie PA 16507. Program begins at 5:15pm. Frontier Park, Erie PA. This year marks the milestone of 40 years since the first HIV cases were reported here in the United States. Earlier this year the '40 Years of Progress' theme was introduced to look back on four decades of research, advocacy, and ground work accomplished to date. Since 1981, Erie County has been affected by HIV in personal and community wide ways. The program will reflect on those individuals no longer with us due to HIV / AIDS. If you would like a loved one to be recognized, you can submit their name to the Erie County HIV Task Force via email to Gary Snyder, the EC HIV Task Force Chair - gsnyder@eriecountypa.gov. Panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display for attendees to see a small portion of the world's largest mobile visual project that recognizes over 100,000 lives ended prematurely by HIV. Red ribbons for HIV / AIDS Awareness will be provided and participants can enjoy refreshments as well as educational opportunities.

The ECHTF is a collaboration of local organizations and individuals dedicated to educating, supporting, and advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS along with preventing the spread of HIV. With the COVID-19 pandemic last year, testing and treatment services were limited for HIV and STIs across the nation as well as Erie County. In 2021, significant increases have been reported in HIV / AIDS and STI cases overall. Communicable diseases including HIV/STIs are preventable with education and access to medications, prophylactics, and services. Today medications and programs are available to not only prevent HIV transmission, but allow individuals to live full productive lives. For more information, please visit echiv.org for additional information including the county map of testing locations, clinic services, and free condoms or call 814-451-6786.