CNYHSA: Central New York Health Systems Agency

The Central New York HIV Care Network promotes community events to observe national and international HIV/AIDS awareness dates in our community. The Network’s Community Awareness Committee organizes events, coordinates and publicizes events being planned by Network member agencies, and produces events calendars to make the public aware of these opportunities to support the community’s response to the epidemic. HIV/AIDS awareness activities conducted or publicized by the Network are open to the public.

Participation Matters.  Because medical care now enables people to live longer with HIV/AIDS, and the number of persons dying from AIDS is decreasing, many people think that "AIDS is over." We know it is not.  The observance of World AIDS Day and many other events throughout the year is designed to remember and honor those who have been lost to the epidemic and, in so doing, to help everyone understand the risks that can lead to transmission of the virus and learn how to protect themselves and promote awareness among their peers and in the community at large.  The more who participate in public observances, the more the community is likely to become aware of HIV/AIDS messages and the ongoing challenge of epidemic-related education. The Committee welcomes the participation of anyone in the community and may be able to provide networking resources to community groups looking for ways to plan their own observances. 

OFFICIAL OBSERVANCES

• AIDS Awareness Day in Albany (Early February)
• National Black HIV Awareness Day (2/7)
• National Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS (March)
• Women in Search of Their Purpose Conference (Early March)
• AIDSWatch in Washington (May)
• International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (May)
• National HIV Testing Day (June 27)
• National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (October)
• World AIDS Day (12/1)

AIDS Awareness Day in Albany (Early February):  Organized by New York AIDS Coalition (NYAC) in conjunction with the release of the Governor’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. HIV/AIDS providers and consumers participate in visits with elected officials to provide information about the impact of the epidemic, the availability of HIV/AIDS resources, unmet service and prevention needs, and state budget priorities. Information available at NYAC, (212) 629-3075 http://www.nyaidscoalition.org/

National Black HIV Awareness Day (February 7th): Cofounded in 1999 by the Community Capacity Building Coalition and conducted annually to call attention to the impact of HIV/AIDS on African-Americans. Information available at http://www.blackaidsday.org/

Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS (beginning the first Sunday in March):  Established in 1989 by The Balm in Gilead; designed to bring national and international attention to the role African-American churches are playing in responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis. The Balm in Gilead provides information and materials to congregations interested in promoting HIV/AIDS education, prevention, compassion and support for African-American communities impacted by the epidemic. http://www.balmingilead.org/programs/weekofprayer2007

Women in Search of their Purpose Empowerment Conference (first Sunday in March): Conducted annually on the first weekend in May by God’s Temple of Faith (Syracuse), in collaboration with several other African-American congregations, for their women and others in the larger community. Programming has included a focus on HIV/AIDS for several years, supported by participation from community-based HIV/AIDS service providers. Information available from Sister Granger at (315) 476-1066.

AIDSWatch in Washington, D.C. (May): The largest annual constituent-based federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event in the U.S. Organized by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) to convene PWA’s and HIV/AIDS advocates in Washington, D.C. to speak with members of Congress concerning federal funding, policy, and legislation relating to HIV/AIDS. A key opportunity to advocate on behalf of Ryan White services funding & CDC prevention funding. Information available at NAPWA, 1413 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC, 20005. http://www.napwa.org/

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (third Sunday in May): Organized in 1983 by the Global AIDS Council (Washington, DC & Vermont) to honor the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, show support for those living with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness of the epidemic, and mobilize community involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Council works to provide information to all who strive for improvement and equity in global health. Information available from 1701 K St., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC. http://www.globalhealth.org/and http://www.candlelightmemorial.org/

National HIV Testing Day (June 27th): Established in 1995 by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) to reach millions at risk of HIV infection with the message: "Take the Test, Take Control." NAPWA is the oldest national AIDS organization in the US and the oldest national PWA organization in the world. Information on Testing Day and other key programs can be obtained from NAPWA, 1413 K St., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005. http://www.napwa.org/ Please contact the CNY HIV Care Network or watch this website for details on local events.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (Mid October): Established in 2003 by the Latino Commission on AIDS to mark the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month and to focus hope for the future of a world without AIDS. Promotes local development of observances to draw attention to the disproportionate impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Latino communities. Information available at the Latino Commission on AIDS, 24 W. 25th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10010. http://www.latinoaids.org/.

World AIDS Day (December 1st): Established in 1988 by the World Health Organization to provide a global focus on the impact of HIV/AIDS by remembering those lost, supporting those infected and affected, and promoting awareness that can lead to increased prevention efforts. There is no longer a single organizing entity in the US, since the withdrawal of the American Association for World Health. Information available from a number of proprietary websites, including the Kaiser Family Foundation at www.kff.org/worldaidsday , AVERT in England at http://www.avert.org/, and the United Nations at http://www.unaids.org/and http://www.worldaidsday.org/(UK).