POSTED: Sunday, November 30, 2008
World AIDS Day, Losses Highlight World AIDS Day
By JAMIE DURANT
Morning News Health/Environmental Reporter
Published: November 30, 2008
Today is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day and people around the world are celebrating the progress made and remembering the loved ones who have lost their fight against the virus.
Mulamba Lunda, director of program services at Hope Health, said the day is mostly one of remembrance.
"Every year on Dec. 1, everybody stops and recognizes people who have passed, or are living, with AIDS - kind of like a moment of silence," Lunda said. "The gist of it is for everybody to pause and reflect on their accomplishments and what is left to be accomplished in the area of HIV and AIDS."
Lunda said this year, HopeHealth will not be sponsoring any events in the Pee Dee, but rather participating in and supporting the events in other parts of the state.
"We are getting behind other agencies across the state that have planned some activities," she said. "Care South Carolina is having a walk and the Palmetto AIDS Life Support services ceremony will also take place in Columbia."
She said for HopeHealth, this year is all about collaboration. "This is a campaign that has been going on for a long time," Lunda said. "It was really established to strengthen and connect together people for the advocacy. We need to continue to advocate, because we still have a lot of work to do."
Pam Brantley, Outreach Specialist for HopeHealth, said the day is especially important as a way to bring awareness to the virus and how it is spread.
"It's important to get the word out about HIV and AIDS, to educate people and encourage them to be tested," she said. "More people than ever are living with HIV."
Brantley said the most important thing is for people to know their status.
"If you don't know, how can you be treated," she said. "We really want to catch someone when they are HIV positive, versus full blown AIDS so they can start on the proper treatment."
The Pee Dee ranks fourth for total HIV and AIDS in South Carolina. In 2007, there were 2,132 confirmed cases of HIV and AIDs in the Pee Dee.
"So in other words 10 percent of all confirmed cases of HIV and AIDS (in South Carolina) are in the Pee Dee," Brantley said.
Marion County ranks 12th with 266 confirmed cases and Marlboro County is ranked 17th in the state with 187 cases.
HIV and AIDS testing is available at HopeHealth for free Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and at other times by appointment. For information, call (843) 667-9414 or for calls from outside the Pee Dee, call toll-free at (888) 841-5855.
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POSTED: Sunday, November 30, 2008
World AIDS Day, Losses Highlight World AIDS Day
By JAMIE DURANT
Morning News Health/Environmental Reporter
Published: November 30, 2008
Today is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day and people around the world are celebrating the progress made and remembering the loved ones who have lost their fight against the virus.
Mulamba Lunda, director of program services at Hope Health, said the day is mostly one of remembrance.
"Every year on Dec. 1, everybody stops and recognizes people who have passed, or are living, with AIDS - kind of like a moment of silence," Lunda said. "The gist of it is for everybody to pause and reflect on their accomplishments and what is left to be accomplished in the area of HIV and AIDS."
Lunda said this year, HopeHealth will not be sponsoring any events in the Pee Dee, but rather participating in and supporting the events in other parts of the state.
"We are getting behind other agencies across the state that have planned some activities," she said. "Care South Carolina is having a walk and the Palmetto AIDS Life Support services ceremony will also take place in Columbia."
She said for HopeHealth, this year is all about collaboration. "This is a campaign that has been going on for a long time," Lunda said. "It was really established to strengthen and connect together people for the advocacy. We need to continue to advocate, because we still have a lot of work to do."
Pam Brantley, Outreach Specialist for HopeHealth, said the day is especially important as a way to bring awareness to the virus and how it is spread.
"It's important to get the word out about HIV and AIDS, to educate people and encourage them to be tested," she said. "More people than ever are living with HIV."
Brantley said the most important thing is for people to know their status.
"If you don't know, how can you be treated," she said. "We really want to catch someone when they are HIV positive, versus full blown AIDS so they can start on the proper treatment."
The Pee Dee ranks fourth for total HIV and AIDS in South Carolina. In 2007, there were 2,132 confirmed cases of HIV and AIDs in the Pee Dee.
"So in other words 10 percent of all confirmed cases of HIV and AIDS (in South Carolina) are in the Pee Dee," Brantley said.
Marion County ranks 12th with 266 confirmed cases and Marlboro County is ranked 17th in the state with 187 cases.
HIV and AIDS testing is available at HopeHealth for free Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and at other times by appointment. For information, call (843) 667-9414 or for calls from outside the Pee Dee, call toll-free at (888) 841-5855.
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