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Source: Nancy Muturi, 785-532-3890, nmuturi@k-state.edu
News released prepared by: Annie Dwyer, adwyer@k-state.edu
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
K-STATE STUDENTS IMPLEMENT A CAMPAIGN FOR HIV/AIDS AWARENESS WEEK
MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University students from the A.Q Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications have partnered with area community organizations to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Manhattan and surrounding communities.
Students in a campaigns course taught by K-State's Nancy Muturi, assistant professor of journalism and mass communications, are involved in this community service learning initiative, partnering with the Regional AIDS Project and I.CAN, Inspiring Community Awareness Now, a committee that organizes World AIDS Day events in the area each year.
As a part of the upcoming HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, the students are helping to promote an HIV/AIDS memorial walk and candlelight vigil in Manhattan Monday, Dec. 1, which is World AIDS Day. The walk, which starts at 5:30 p.m., will be from Aggieville's Triangle Park to the First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Ave., where a reception will be held.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Week will start with a benefit bake sale starting at 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at the Xcalibur Club in Junction City. The club also will host a "Red Ribbon Review" benefit performance Saturday, Nov. 29.
Other events planned for the week include free and confidential HIV testing from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, in the K and S Rooms at the K-State Student Union. Also Dec. 3, Jade Esteban Estrada will perform his one-act piece, "A Lullaby for Ryan: The History of HIV/AIDS in America," at 7 p.m. in the Union's Grand Ballroom. "Rock the Red," an AIDS benefit concert featuring Lucia Drive and The Ruckus, will be at 9 p.m. Dec. 3 at the KatHouse Lounge in Aggieville. Also available during the concert will be free and confidential HIV testing. Free testing also will be offered at "Latino Nights," 10 p.m. Dec. 4 to 2 a.m. Dec. 5, at PJ's in Aggieville.
All events are open to the public.
The HIV/AIDS awareness campaign is a part of a two-year initiative funded by K-State's Center for Engagement and Community Development and the Tilford Multicultural Center. The campaign's goal is to promote health literacy for HIV/AIDS prevention in Kansas communities.
"The project brings together students with members of the community to address issues that impact society, and HIV/AIDS is one those problems that require our attention," Muturi said.
Research shows that although HIV/AIDS can affect anyone regardless of age, race, gender or social status, and that it is a growing problem in the minority communities, Muturi said.
More information on upcoming events and HIV/AIDS prevention is available at http://www.rap-kan.org
