December 1st is World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit for AIDS Prevention. Since that time, it has been taken up by governments, international organizations and charities around the world.
 
Long Beach has been hit hard by the AIDS pandemic, and even today ranks #2 in the state of California on HIV/AIDS per capita, right behind San Francisco.

The Long Beach AIDS Foundation is going to do something different this year; they will host a FUN EVENT. This FREE event at MoLAA is expected to draw hundreds of people throughout the city. It will feature a  ‘cutting edge’, three-screen multi-media spectacular, with live entertainment, free museum tour, information booths, a World AIDS Day Art Competition, art auction, great food, and even dancing.

This is by far the most aggressive undertaking to get HIV/AIDS education to those who need it the most – our entire Long Beach community. In the past, World AIDS Day events have been – in part – somber memorials. But I believe we can honor those who have died by doing our very best to reach those who are at risk.
 
The World AIDS Day theme: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise: Lead the Change focuses on inspiring our citizens to learn about HIV, become aware of the resources available, inspiring individuals to volunteer, advocate, participate and help all the agencies within Long Beach and the South Bay that provide direct services, education and prevention in HIV/AIDS. There will be Free HIV testing available at the event.

The event costs associated to put on a vital community educational event is high, but the cost of doing nothing is even higher.  The rates in Long Beach are increasing as we can do something today. African-American women have seen an 80% increase in HIV exposure in the last few years, Latino Males – 45%, African-American Males – 37% and Adolescents – 27% increase.

There are 14 participating agencies involved: Substance Abuse Foundation, Bickerstaff Pediatric and Family Center of Miller Children’s Hospital, Project B.R.U.C.E., Cambodian Civilization Association, Serra Project, South Bay Family Healthcare Center, The Center LB, AIDS Food Store of Long Beach, and Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and many others are helping to make this happen.  J Brands Jeans and Alliance Bank are two major sponsors for this event and more are still signing on.

World AIDS Day:  Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA). This event is FREE to the public. To find out more: www.lbaidsfoundation.org