AIDS/HIV is no respecter of persons regardless of age, race or profession, thus people worldwide unite every Dec. 1 in their fight against the disease, to show support for people living with AIDS/HIV and commemorate those who have died from the disease. Using a three-pronged approach of getting tested, linking people to a cure and providing PREP (pre-exposure prophylactics) to educate the residents of Bed-Stuy, the Bedford-Stuyvesant Family Health Center implored the audience to get tested and treated for this deadly virus at their World AIDS Day celebration ceremony last Tuesday.
The first World AIDS Day was celebrated Dec. 1, 1988, and over the years, BSFHC has embarked on a massive and radical program to educate the communities of Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights and Bushwick and remove the stigma around the disease.
The community room was filled to capacity and some guests were forced to stand during the celebration, which encompassed African drummers, dance, spoken word and song. The diversity of those in attendance highlighted the faces of those whom this disease has touched while reaffirming the success of the program.
CEO and President Patricia Hernandez said that their goal is “to serve as a catalyst to promote growth and prevent disease thereby guaranteeing that HIV is no longer a death sentence.”
Assemblywoman Annette Robinson said that there was “sadness in my heart because we continue to have to celebrate because AIDS is still in the community. But BSFHC is actively involved in providing services, and the community benefits from it, and I am hopeful that we will be able to say it is over.”
There has been a rise in new cases of HIV/AIDS in the teens to 20s age group and also among those 65 and older. Councilman Robert Cornegy took the opportunity to announce, “The City Council is dedicating an additional $23 million to the AIDS prevention programs addressing AIDS/HIV, and I am proud to see that my community is facing the problem head-on.”
Representatives from many community-based organizations, such as Brooklyn Men Connect, were in attendance to celebrate. David Matthews, director of the organization, described how it “offers support for young men and the transgender population who are in need of a place to come and talk.”
The first case of AIDS was diagnosed in 1981, and because of medical advancement, when one is tested early, a regiment of one pill a day prolongs life. Reportedly, 51 percent of people with HIV know their status. There are 129 thousand cases in New York and 50 percent are in New York City, with the majority in Brooklyn.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo used the day to announce that there is an additional $200 million in state funds to support housing and health care programs for people living with AIDS/HIV. As health centers such as BSFHC continue their outreach programs, everyone is being encouraged to “know your status.” Get tested!