World AIDS Day Program Hosted by Erie County HIV Task Force

From Erie County HIV Task Force

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Erie County HIV Task Force [ECHTF] presented this year’s World AIDS Day program at the H.O. Hirt Auditorium inside the Blasco Public Library at 160 East Front Street, Erie, PA 16507. Speakers included City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember, Erie County staff member Gary Snyder, Adagio Health staff member Andi Fair, Community Health Net staff member Kelly Kruize, and PA Thrive Partnership staff member Sonny Concepcion. Local news coverage was by Fox 66 News. In addition to speakers and video segments, one panel of the AIDS Memorial Quilt was on display, made possible by PA Thrive Partnership.

Erie County Health Department’s Gary Snyder, HIV Disease Intervention Specialist, emceed the program and talked about the Erie County HIV Task Force’s initiatives for 2022, including the history of World AIDS Day and the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Mayor Schember spoke on the importance of equity of care and testing access for Erie residents. Kelly Kruize expressed the importance of advocating for persons living with HIV as they can face stigma and discrimination from community members due to a lack of knowledge and fear. Andi Fair reviewed the current options for PrEP, known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, as medicine options to take and prevent contracting HIV. Sonny Concepcion led an interview segment with two guests that discussed their diagnosis journey in the 1990s and how being in care, taking today’s available medicines, and helping others have made for fulfilling lives while having undetectable HIV. For more information, please visit echiv.org for additional information, including the county map of testing locations, clinic services, and free condoms locally or mailed to your home. You may also call 814-315-3375.

Photos

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