Friday 1st December is World AIDS Day and Tauranga's bars and clubs will be targeted with a condom drop and posters promoting the ‘safety gear' theme. The message is ‘Remember there is no cure from HIV/AIDS', says Susan Kennedy of the Bay Area AIDS Support Service (BAASS). “What's worse - a bit of embarrassment, or a whole lot of infection, pain and serious ill health?” Street appeals outside the Warehouse on Cameron Road, outside the Post Shop in Te Puke and in the Tauranga Hospital Foyer will give out red ribbons for gold coin donations on World AIDS Day. “Wearing a red ribbon is a tribute to the millions of people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS worldwide, and to the teams of researchers trying to find a vaccine or cure,” explains Kennedy. BAASS is made up of voluntary members, mainly family members whom have had a family member pass away from an AIDS related illness, and other interested parties. The group organize events each year to support of the local community in raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, promote safe sex practices and raise money for those experiencing HIV or AIDS locally. World AIDS Day is an annual event to mark the fight against HIV and AIDS. Events around the globe and around New Zealand will raise awareness and fundraise for HIV/AIDS charities. 2005 was the worst year on record for HIV in New Zealand, with 183 new diagnosed cases – the highest ever number in a single year. The most at-risk group remains gay and bisexual men, who make up the largest proportion of new diagnoses where infection occurred within New Zealand. Ref: NZAF (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 16th November 2006 - 12:00pm