The Erie County HIV Task Force and Erie County Department of Health will host a World AIDS Day Memorial Program on Dec. 1, 2022 at the Blasco Memorial Library. AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a condition that interferes with the body’s ability to fight infections. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
“The program agenda will include a Memorial Names Recognition,” said Gary Snyder, HIV Disease Intervention Specialist at the health department. “It will be a remembrance of those who have lost their lives due to HIV.” Erie County residents are welcome to submit names of loved ones for recognition during the program by emailing gsnynder@eriecountypa.gov.
Panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt sponsored by PA Thrive Partnership will be on display for attendees to see a portion of the world’s largest living memorial that recognizes over 100,000 lives ended prematurely by HIV.
The program will have guest speakers discussing topics such as PrEP for HIV from Adagio Health and HIV Peer Survivor Stories from PA Thrive Partnership. (PrEP is medicine that reduces the chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.)
The Erie County HIV Task Force is a collaboration of local organizations and individuals dedicated to educating, supporting and advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infection. It works together with the ECDH to combat HIV and AIDS by collaborating on a collective culture of compassionate care for persons living with HIV and those at risk for contracting the virus.
Partners also include Central Outreach Wellness Center of Erie, Community Health Net, Erie Gay News, Nicotine Free Northwest PA, NWPA Pride Alliance, and SafeNet.
“Everyone can help prevent the spread of HIV. Talk to your healthcare provider on ways to reduce your risk of HIV,” he said. Erie County residents are encouraged to request annual testing for HIV as part of their medical care. For sites in Erie County offering free and confidential HIV testing and counselling as well as sites offering free condoms, visit Echiv.org/testing-condom-map.
The program is free and open to the public. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Program starts 6 p.m. inside the H.O. Hirt Auditorium, Raymond Blasco Memorial Library, 160 E. Front St., Erie. For more information, visit Echiv.org/world-aids-day-2022 or FB.com/EriePAHIV.
