Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Someone under the age of 25 is infected with HIV every 15 seconds.
This statistic prompted students Cody Charles and Tyrone Baker to create the student group, 15 Seconds, in January. The first initiative of 15 Seconds is the University’s first HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, named “15 Seconds Week” in honor of the group.
“We were looking at different statistics, and this statistic was so shocking,” said Baker, Topeka senior. “A lot of people have asked us, ‘Are you serious? Is that really true?’ We were all surprised because we are all under 25.”
Baker said that 15 Seconds Week would offer a variety of events that would appeal to any type of student. Students will be able to see what it’s like to have AIDS, attend an awareness concert and participate in a poker tournament.
“In our age group, we aren’t thinking about the future of AIDS,” said Charles, Houston, Tex., graduate student. “Usually we hear things when it’s already too late. Our group wanted to spread awareness to the younger generation.”
aidsBB
HIV Worldwide
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 36.1 million
Number of new HIV infections per year: 5.3 million
Number of new HIV infections per day: 15,000
HIV in the United States
Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 900,000
Number of people who may not know they are HIV positive: 300,000
Number of new HIV infections per year: 40,000
Source: www.whitehouse.gov
Frenchie Davis, former American Idol contestant, will speak Friday at 8 p.m. at Hashinger Theatre about her involvement in RENT, a Broadway musical that deals with the issue of HIV infection and the deathly effects of AIDS.
“Frenchie is working with such an important artistic work of HIV awareness,” Charles said. “This will probably be the most popular event of the week.”
Charles said he was inspired by the efforts on VH1 and MTV for HIV/AIDS awareness. He said that these companies have been encouraging young people to market their own ideas and try to do anything they can to spread awareness.
All proceeds from 15 Seconds Week will be donated to the Douglas County AIDS Project, a Lawrence-based community organization serving the Franklin, Jefferson and Douglas counties. Charles said DCAP hasn’t had sufficient funds to provide HIV testing recently.
An HIV test is offered two places in Lawrence. Watkins Health Center, 1200 Schwegler Drive, and Lawrence Douglas County Health Department, 200 Maine St. Suite B, offer HIV testing through a blood sample, but the tests run from $18 to $30.
The closest health center that offers free HIV testing is The Healthy Living Project in Kansas City, Kan., which is 31 miles from Lawrence.
Kansan staff writer Danae DeShazer can be contacted at ddeshazer@kansan.com.
—Edited by Ashley Thompson
TUESDAY, March 27
Screening of Philadelphia- (Woodruff Auditorium, 7 p.m.) Screening of the movie, and afterward, a discussion led by professor Kevin Willmott
WEDNESDAY, March 28
Project Alpha- (Wescoe Beach, all day) Alpha Phi Alpha will be passing out information about HIV and taking donations
THURSDAY, March 29
Jus Rhymes Concert, participant on the White Rapper Show, & HIV Awareness Panel - (Hashinger Theatre, 6 p.m.)
FRIDAY, March 30
Frenchie Davis - (Hashinger Theatre, 8 p.m.) Listen as the American Idol contestant shares stories from Broadway’s Rent
SATURDAY, March 31
Poker Tournament - (McCollum Hall lobby, 4 p.m.) Watch the NCAA basketball tournament and play your winning hand, all while supporting a good cause. Tournament prizes are $200, $100, and $50 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.)
Source: Cody Charles, co-chair of 15 Seconds
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