World AIDS
Day / Day Without Art: "Be A Force For Change"
by Michael Connley, AVNK
Covington--The eleventh observance of World AIDS Day will be commemorated on Tuesday, December 1, 1998. Locally the events for World AIDS Day will take place at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption at 1140 Madison Avenue, Covington. A reception will be held at 5:30 PM and the observance will take place from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Malcolm Adcock, Cincinnati Health Commissioner. The observance will be followed by a procession to THE CARNEGIE Visual + Performing Arts Center at Scott & Robbins Streets, Covington for "Day Without Art" which will feature artwork from local high schools and will be held from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Organizations involved in the World AIDS Day Planning Committee include: The Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department, AIDS Volunteers of Northern Kentucky, AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, St. Elizabeth Medical Centers, Transitions, Hospice of Northern Kentucky, Veteran's Hospital, Greater Cincinnati AIDS Consortium and the Northern Kentucky Arts Council.
The World AIDS Day Planning Committee urges all in our surrounding communities to participate in this special day by ringing bells 18 times at 2:00 PM signifying 18 years of the epidemic and by participating in the service. If you cannot participate in these activities, please dim all lights in your house or place of business from 7:45-8:00 PM.
This year's World AIDS Day theme is "Be a Force for Change." The purpose of this theme is to recognize the millions of young adults worldwide who are affected-directly and indirectly-by HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day this year aims to increase understanding of the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic globally and that the epidemic continues despite new hope in treatment. Worldwide implementation of the theme promotes action and sound policies to prevent HIV transmission and minimizes the epidemic's impact on teenagers and young adults.
One hundred ninety one countries around the world are observing this day to draw attention to the AIDS epidemic. World AIDS Day will link communities throughout the United States in a unified observance when the White House dims its lights from 7:45 to 8:00 PM. This visual demonstration will signify the commitment to fight the AID pandemic and will give tribute to people living with HIV/AIDS and to those who have died from AIDS.
For more information about World AIDS Day / "Day Without Art", contact Michael Connley, AIDS Volunteers of Northern Kentucky at 513-287-3720 (mconnley@cinergy.com) or Scott Bowden, Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department at 606-341-4264.
