MANATEE — Organizations in Manatee and Sarasota counties are observing World AIDS Day 2009 with a concert, a health and wellness expo and a series of free HIV testing events this week.
World Aids Day is being celebrated Tuesday, but local events in its observance are spread throughout the week, said Dianne Shipley, health educator/media liaison for Sarasota County Health and Human Services.
A Sarasota/Manatee World AIDS Day Health/Wellness Expo is slated for Saturday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Pride Park, 815 63rd Ave. W., Bradenton.
The free event includes free chair massages, health screenings, HIV testing, information about community services, AIDS quilts display, speakers, live entertainment and a DJ, children’s activities, door prize drawings and refreshments, according to Shipley.
“There will be a series of HIV testing events, opportunities for people to get free testing,” she said. “It’s important from the standpoint of people knowing their HIV status, if they are positive, to get into health care earlier, get into treatment earlier, be able to notify their loved ones as well.”
The HIV-AIDS Network of Southwest Florida, a coalition of AIDS groups, is one of the sponsors of a number of events. Free AIDS testing today through next weekend is scheduled at various Sarasota locations, Shipley said.
Sunday, the Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project presented a World AIDS Day concert entitled “Uplifting Night of Remembrance” at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sarasota.
AIDS organizers are asking people to wear a red ribbon, the emblem of HIV/AIDS, as a sign of support for people living with HIV and a symbol of hope for awareness, understanding and search for better treatment and a cure.
For more World AIDS Day information, visit www.hivsarasota.org, or www.manasotaworldaidsday.org.
Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at (941) 745-7031.
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