Lake Co. Event Takes Aim At AIDS Stigma

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center: The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, as a member of the Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition, is sponsoring a free community event to commemorate World AIDS Day on Sunday, December 1. The “Rock the Ribbon – Communities Make the Difference” event will be held from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Family Piano Company, 118 S. Genesee Street, Waukegan.

The event is free and open to the public, and will feature interactive art exhibits, a candle-lighting ceremony, and information on the Illinois Getting to Zero plan, which aims to see zero new HIV infections in Illinois and zero people living with HIV who are not on treatment by 2030. All are encouraged to attend to learn about the AIDS epidemic, remember those who have lost their lives to the disease, and “Rock the Ribbon” – wear a red ribbon to show your support and to stand against HIV stigma and discrimination.

“Communities are the lifeblood of an effective AIDS response and an important pillar of support,” said Mark Pfister, Health Department Executive Director. “By coming together, we can dismantle HIV stigma and break down barriers to diagnosis and treatment for people living with HIV, helping to make new HIV infections a thing of the past.”
For more information about the event, please call the Health Department’s Need2Know program at (847) 377-8450.

This press release was produced by The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center. The views are the author's own.