Getting to Zero: Idaho to Observe World AIDS Day 2011

Imagine living in a world without the threat of HIV and AIDS. That’s exactly what the international community is asking people to do this coming Thursday, December 1st.

AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 200 making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.

According to the (Red) Campaign, “Last year nearly half a million babies were born with HIV. By 2015, that number could be zero.”

It has been 23 years since the World Health Organization and the United Nations first declared December 1st as World AIDS Day. During that time much has been done to create awareness, save lives and slow the spread of the disease.

The founder and executive director of Idaho’s largest volunteer HIV and AIDS organization, a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS), says he remains confident that prevention and education has played a big part in slowing the virus’ spread. For the past eight years, Duane Quintana along with countless volunteers have continued to push the organization’s motto of “Educate, Test and Support.”

Quintana says that model is making a difference. “Studies show that the faster you can get someone who has been infected with HIV tested the faster you can not only help that person prevent the spread of the virus, but you can also help the individual live and maintain a better quality of life as well.”

This year a.l.p.h.a., along with several other organizations, are asking Idahoans to not only take a few minutes to remember those lives who have been affected by HIV and AIDS, but to also get tested and brush up on their HIV and AIDS facts themselves.  World AIDS Day activities will be held across the state, including Moscow, Boise, Twin Falls, Nampa and Pocatello.

Here is a schedule of events:

Coeur d’Alene

Thursday, December 1st:

The North Idaho HIV Planning Group (NIHIVPG) and The North Idaho AIDS Coalition (NIAC) will host a World AIDS Day event on Thursday, December 1, 2011. The groups will offer free, confidential, 15 minute HIV testing and education from 10:00-1:00pm at the North Idaho College in the Student Union building. An evening public candle lighting vigil will be held at the Human Rights Education Institute from 6 – 7 pm. Advocacy groups around all of Idaho have committed to doing a candle light vigil at the same time around the state. All events are free and open to the public.

Moscow: 

Wednesday November 30th at 7:00 pm

Emmy award-winning AIDS activist, Rae Lewis-Thornton, will be visiting the University of Idaho campus to share her personal experience of living well with AIDS. Lewis-Thornton will discuss her journey through diagnosis, harsh medication regimes, and stigmas and stereotypes, to newer, better treatments to manage HIV/AIDS that lead to her diva-hood.   The event will be held in the at the U of I Student Union building Ballroom.  The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Heather Ebba Maib at lgbtoffice@uidaho.edu or (208) 885-6583.

On Thursday December 1st (World AIDS Day) from 9-5 pm there will be free confidential HIV testing in the 3rd floor of the commons building on the U of I campus.

From 11:00 am-2:00pm the HIV:Idaho film will be shown in the commons food court.

At 7:00 pm Moscow will join other cities across the state to remember those who have been infected and/or affected by HIV.

On Friday, December 2nd, there will a free screening of the film, “Pills, Profits and Protest,” which chronicles the history of the global AIDS movement.

Click HERE for more information.

Boise: 

Thursday, December 1st:

There will be free testing all day at the Boise a.l.p.h.a. office, located at 1009 W. Bannock St. (Bannock & 10th). Call 208 424 7799 for more information or to find out about a testing location in Meridian, Nampa or a site nearest you for World AIDS Day.

A lunch time chat will be held from 12:00 to 12:45 at the a.l.p.h.a. Boise office, located at 1009 W. Bannock St. (Bannock & 10th), There will be a quick medical update and open discussion on HIV in Idaho. Bring your lunch and enjoy.

a.l.p.h.a. volunteers will be distributing 2,000 red ribbons throughout Downtown Boise. Lighted red ribbons will also be displayed in downtown merchant windows. To order go to http://www.alphaidaho.org  and click the “World AIDS Day” tab or call  for more information. There will also be volunteers distributing ribbons and information at the Boise Co-op at 888 West Fort Street in Boise throughout the day.

A Pre-World AIDS Day vigil reception will be held as part of Downtown Boise’s First Thursday. It will take place at Exposure a.l.p.h.a. Interchange from 5 – 8 pm for those that can’t make the vigil. The store is located at 213 North 10th Street, Boise.

This year’s World AIDS Day vigil will be held at 8:00 pm, on the steps of the Boise City Hall in remembrance of those who have been infected and/or affected by HIV. Following the vigil there will be a silent walk and reception at a.l.p.h.a.’s downtown office (1009 W Bannock).

Click HERE for more information. 

Meridian:

Thursday, December 1st:

Idaho State University/Meridian will be offering free, confidential rapid testing to students, faculty and staff all day.  Announcements have been posted through the ISU network. Thanks to all for the community efforts to educate and test Idaho!

Nampa:

Thursday, December 1st:

Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS (a.l.p.h.a.) is excited to announce that Nampa is taking part in World AIDS Day on Thurs. Dec. 1st. We will be meeting at the Nampa Police Department Plaza and have a candlelight vigil in memory of those who have been affected by AIDS. Directly after we will walk to Messenger Pizza for food and conversation. Bring a candle and your red ribbon in honor of those who this day is named for and remember to dress warmly.  The vigil will begin at 8 p.m.

Click HERE for more information. 

Caldwell:

Thursday, December 1st

The Southwest District Health Dept. will be offering free HIV confidential testing, Thursday, Dec. 1, 8:00 am – 5:30 pm – 13307 Miami Lane, Caldwell, ID, Phone 455-5300

 Twin Falls:

Thursday, December 1st

There will be a HIV and AIDS informational fair at the College of Southern Idaho Student Union Building from 12:00-2:00 pm. The fair will include a presentation of the HIV:Idaho film and more. The event is free and open to the community.

From 1:00-5:00 pm a.l.p.h.a. will be offering free confidential 20 minute rapid oral HIV testing to the community. Testing will take place upstairs in rooms 211, 247 and 248 inside the College of Southern Idaho’s Student Union Building. The testing is free and open to the public.

This year’s World AIDS Day vigil will be held at 8:00 pm at the Twin Falls City Park in remembrance of those who have been infected and/or affected by HIV. Free hot cocoa, coffee and apple cider will be served.  Call 734-3842.

Click HERE for more information.

Pocatello:

Thursday, December 1st:

Free Rapid HIV Testing 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Salmon River Suites, Pond Student Union. Free for students & faculty/staff members. Condom Pin Decorating 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bear River Room, Pond Student Union. Visual AIDS Gallery 6 – 8 p.m. Pond Student Union Transition Gallery. Candlelight Vigil 7 – 7:30 p.m. Quad. Movie Screening: RENT 8 – 9:30 p.m. Bengal Theater. Events are free for students with Bengal ID. Free red ribbon pins for those tested, free red ribbons, condoms and dental dams for all those who attend. Questions? Please contact the Involvement Center at: (208) 282-3451.  For more info visit isu.edu.

The HIV and AIDS Regional Planning Council of the Southeastern District Health Department will be sponsoring  a memorial service at the United Congregational Church, UCC, 309 North Garfield, at 7:00 pm.  There will be a speaker, music, a tree, and candle lighting ceremony.  Refreshments will be served afterward.

Idaho Falls:

Saturday December 3rd:

Elks Club, Saturday December 3, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm – 640 E. Elva, Idaho Falls, ID. Free Confidential HIV testing.  No appointment necessary.