Students unite, bringing HIV awareness to campus

In commeration of HIV Awareness Week, AIDS memorial quilts were put on display in the Johnson Center. (George Yanez) 

Despite millions of dollars being funneled into aid for affected nations, HIV and AIDS are still one of the leading causes of death in the world with an estimated 3.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS, according to the World Health Organization. However, the epidemic is also close to home.

As of 2009, according to a Washington Post article, 3 percent of the District of Columbia’s population had tested positive for HIV or AIDS.

Starting today, HIV Awareness Week kicks off; the week will showcase different ways on how to protect oneself from contracting the deadly disease.

Tomorrow, there will be the Stay Strapped Can You Bare It? concert. The concert will feature different groups on campus performing, demonstrations, free food and HIV testing, as well as raffles.

According to its Facebook event page, HIV/AIDs Awareness Concert, the aim of the event is to “encourage today’s teenagers, youth, and young adults [to] learn more about the epidemic known as HIV/AIDS.”

Although the group acknowledges that the most effective way to prevent the virus is through abstinence, they encourage those that are sexually active to use protection.

Throughout the week there will be opportunities for students to grab informational packets, engage in dialogue about current issues and view demonstrations on how to better protect themselves should they be sexually active.

For a list of HIV Awareness Week events click here.