AIDS Gala

More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and 1 in 8 of people who have HIV don’t even know they have it. Educating the public about HIV and AIDS is crucial to help fight the disease.

Every year the African People’s Association, in collaboration with the University of Toledo’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association, hosts an AIDS Awareness Gala in honor of World AIDS Day.
The African People’s Association is inspired to help bring awareness to HIV and AIDS. The epidemic is even more prevalent in African countries where medical supplies and education about the virus is scarce.
This year, the seventh annual AIDS Awareness Gala took place on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium.

Nnenna Kalu, president of African People’s Association, said it is important for people to be educated about the virus.

“There are many misconceptions about HIV, so it is important that people are educated,” Kalu said. “It is also important that people know that those living with the virus are normal people. They aren’t going to show signs or anything. They shouldn’t be treated differently.”

The gala began with entertainment from a gospel choir, the dance group Charisma and a solo from student Aadilah Elamin.

Daniella Van Fleet, from the Ryan White Foundation, gave her speech on HIV and AIDS. She discussed common myths and gave facts relating to HIV and AIDS, as well as steps to prevent contracting the virus.

Free HIV testing was also offered at the gala.

After Van Fleet’s speech, someone who had tested positive for HIV shared her testimonial. She discussed how she contracted the virus and how her life has changed after finding out she had HIV.

The speaker also discussed the importance of preventing the virus.

Barbara Aidoo, treasurer of African People’s Association, said the gala not only helps to educate students about HIV and learn prevention methods but also donates money to a great cause.

“The money we get from ticket sales is all donated to the Ryan White Foundation. The foundation helps support AIDS patients,” Aidoo said.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program was named after Ryan White, who was diagnosed with AIDS at age 13 after a blood transfusion in 1984. After Ryan’s death in 1990, Congress passed a legislation called the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.

The Ryan White Program at the University of Toledo Medical Center offers high quality and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care services through a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Hawa Seck, event coordinator of African People’s Association, said her favorite part of the gala was when Daniella Van Fleet gave her speech.

“There were a lot of things I didn’t know about HIV that I learned from her,” Seck said. “She gives information on how to prevent yourself from getting HIV and many facts about the virus that I was unaware of.”

For more information on the prevention of HIV and AIDS and free HIV testing, contact the University of Toledo Ruppert Health Center at 419-383-6843.