World AIDS Day events

VALDOSTA — Today is World AIDS Day and the South Health District and Valdosta State University have teamed up to provide a day of testing, support and information on HIV/AIDS in Valdosta.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free testing for HIV will be available to VSU students and area residents at the University Center (UC) lobby near the food court.

A Lunch-n-Learn luncheon, also open to the public, will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the UC Cypress Room. The event will focus on "The Impact on Families and Communities" and will feature a panel discussion on AIDS awareness, featuring speaker Dr. W. Saurina, head of infectious disease at South Georgia Medical Center; South Health District Public Health Educator John Rogers; and family members and individuals who are personally affected by HIV/AIDS. The lunch is free to the first 75 registrants and $6.25 for all others.

An HIV/AIDS support group meeting is to be held at the Leila Ellis Building, located at 601 N. Lee Street, from 6 to 8 p.m. Dr. Linda Floyd from VSU will speak about HIV and depression. Following the meeting, there will be a candlelight vigil in the parking lot. The event is free and open to the public.

World AIDS Day is recognized each year on Dec. 1 to acknowledge the impact sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS have on local communities, as well as the world. This year marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Individuals who believe they may be at risk of having an STD or HIV/AIDS are encouraged to get tested at their local health department or private healthcare provider.

“You do not have to wait until World AIDS Day to get tested, we do it every day at the health departments and at other facilities in the district,” stated Infectious Disease Coordinator Brenda Mims, according to a press release from the South Health District.

People who participate in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, having multiple sex partners and drug use, have an increased chance of contracting an STD or HIV/AIDS. “Abstinence is the best and easiest choice someone could make for prevention of getting a disease,” Mims said.

For more information on STDs, HIV/AIDS or World AIDS Day events, contact the Infectious Disease Office at (229) 245-8711 or visit www.southhealthdistrict.com.