World AIDS Day Observance Held Dec 1st
Erie County HIV Task Force
On Friday, December 1, 2023, the Erie County HIV Task Force [ECHTF] presented this year's World AIDS Day Memorial Program at the H.O. Hirt Auditorium inside the Blasco Public Library at 160 East Front Street, Erie, PA 16507. Speakers included Erie County Department of Health Director Erin Mrenak, Erie County staff member Gary Snyder, Adagio Health staff member Andi Fair, and PA Thrive Partnership staff member Sonny Concepcion. 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, presented the event's program covering accomplishments of the ECHTF in 2023, including the history of World AIDS Day and the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Erin Mrenak reviewed the importance of improving care and testing access for Erie residents. Andi Fair reviewed the current options for HIV Prevention. Sonny Concepcion moderated an interview segment with two guests that discussed their diagnosis journey from the 1980s to today and how today's available medicines give them fulfilling lives while having undetectable HIV.
This year's program also included the I AM A WORK OF ART project involving the public, Community Health Net / PA Thrive Partnership clients, and Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. The word ART this year has a dual meaning. As a medical term, ART is an acronym for Anti-Retroviral Therapy - a combo of meds taken to make HIV undetectable, which creates no risk of transmission to others. ART also represents creativity and imagination through various forms of expression. During art therapy sessions held in October and November 2023, participants created submissions of designs/pieces currently on display for December in the Blasco Memorial Library at 160 E Front St, Erie, PA 16507. Many thanks to this year's participants, volunteers, and sponsors: Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, Northwest Institute of Research, PA Thrive Partnership, and the Erie County Department of Health.
For more information about HIV testing and treatment options or to become a volunteer, please visit echiv.org, including the county map of testing locations, clinic services, and free condoms available locally or mailed to your home. You may also call 814-315-3375 or send an email to admin@echiv.org.
Photos
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