Annual World AIDS Day benefit and silent auction.
Friday, December 1, 2006, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert, Iowa City
Performances by David Morton and Elena Passarello
Free admission. All are welcome. Donations gladly accepted
Proceeds benefit ICARE
For further Information, call 319-338-2135

Each year on December 1, people around the world observe World AIDS Day. ICARE (Iowa Center for AIDS Resources and Education) is holding a World AIDS Day Benefit and Silent Auction at Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert Avenue, Iowa City, on Friday, Dec. 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend. Donations will be gladly accepted, with all proceeds to benefit ICARE. The benefit will include performances by David Morton and Elena Passarello, and refreshments will be served.

According to Arthur Schut, Executive Director of ICARE, “World AIDS Day is a time to remember those whose lives have ended because of HIV/AIDS and an opportunity to educate. We celebrate those who continue to champion justice and provide access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Too many people think that the epidemic in the U.S. is over. World AIDS Day helps us remember that AIDS is not over and every individual can make a difference.”

Schut added, “It is important to know the facts regarding how to prevent infection. Each of us can make a difference.” He also emphasized that people are living longer due to medical advances. There is a great need for support and volunteers to help deliver services.

AIDS has killed 25 million people since the first cases were diagnosed in 1981. This is greater than the estimated 23 million that died from the Black Plague during the 14th century and the 20 million that died from the flu epidemic of 1918. It is estimated that 40 million are infected with HIV world wide. 15 million children are orphans because AIDS has killed their parents. About three million people die from AIDS each year.

More than one million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. An estimated 40,000 new HIV infections occur in the United States each year. Increases in new infections combined with the decreases in death rates, have led to huge increases in the number of people living with HIV/AIDS that require care. It is estimated that one quarter of people living with HIV/AIDS do not know that they are infected. Half of all the new infections in the US are in African Americans. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for African American women aged 25-34.

In 2005, there were 113 diagnoses of HIV in Iowa, more than in any year since Iowa began reporting HIV cases in 1998. This was a 6% increase over 2004 and a 23% increase over 2003. As of December 31, 2005, 1342 Iowa residents have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Many of those infected are unaware and may be unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.

ICARE is a not-for-profit AIDS organization with staff and volunteers who provide comprehensive practical, emotional, and financial support to persons living with HIV/AIDS, their partners, families, friends and others concerned about HIV or AIDS in a safe, accepting and non-judgmental atmosphere. For more information about ICARE, call 338-2135.