World AIDS Day: December 1st

Samaritan House joins with U.N.T. to observe, educate

Samaritan House will join the University of North Texas in observing World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 1st. The Denton, Texas-based university will have events free testing and community information available in the Student Union from 10Am until 5PM. Following the daytime activities will be a candlelight vigil to memorialize those who have lost their battle with AIDS.

It is estimated that more than one million people in the United states currently live with HIV/AIDS, although as many as one fourth of those individuals do not realize they are infected. More than half of a million people have died of AIDS-related illness in the U.S. to date, a number that, although high, is low in comparison with global statistics.

While male-to-male sexual contact was still the most frequent means of transmission as of 2003, intravenous drug use and heterosexual contact were close behind. African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV, and Texas has the fourth highest number of HIV-positive citizens in the nation.

Samaritan House staff and residents will have a table set up in the UNT Student Union’s One O’Clock Lounge from 10AM until 2PM to share information about the organization’s services. They will also speak to people about first hand experiences with HIV/AIDS, and about their lives as residents at Samaritan House. There will also be displays throughout the student center that present faculty and student research.

Free HIV tests will be given from 9AM until 10:30AM, and from 1PM until 3:30PM. Results will be shared within hours of testing, and all results are confidential.

For more information about World AIDS Day events at the University of North Texas, including the evening candlelight vigil, please call (940) 565-2456, or visit www.unt.edu/edo.

Statistical information was taken from the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/stats.htm

.