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The Health Department encourages everyone to join the free event to commemorate World AIDS Day.
Lake County, Ill. — Each year, on December 1st, we commemorate World AIDS Day. This important awareness day is a time to reflect on and celebrate the global progress in the HIV/AIDS journey, recognize the challenges remaining, and honor the lives lost. On this day, we also renew our commitment to supporting the well-being of those with HIV, as well as those at risk for infection. Join the Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Waukegan Park District, 412 S. Lewis Avenue, Waukegan.
The event is free and open to the public and will feature a candle-lighting ceremony, songs performed by Pascale M. Trouillot and accompaniment by Ken McMullen, a drag performance by Lola Madison, and much more. Attendees will learn about the Illinois Getting to Zero initiative, which aims to see zero new HIV infections in Illinois and zero people living with HIV who are not on treatment by 2030. Attendees will also learn about ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic with an emphasis on HIV testing, increasing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications, and highlighting the importance of viral suppression.
The U.S. Government (USG) theme for World AIDS Day 2023, Remember and Commit, pays tribute to the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. The theme also emphasizes the collective responsibility to improve access to care. The Lake County Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) program, also known as Need2Know Lake County, works with clients and community members on HIV prevention with services, including HIV testing, PrEP, treatment, and care.
All are encouraged to attend and wear a red ribbon to show their support and stand against HIV stigma and discrimination.
To RSVP or for more information, please call the Health Department’s Need2Know program at (847) 377-8450.
“In 2022, 93 percent of our clients with HIV were able to suppress the virus,” said Valerie Johansen, STI Program Coordinator at the Lake County Health Department. “When we reflect on our progress, we are inspired to keep moving forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”
About Lake County Stands Against Stigma The Lake County Stands Against Stigma Coalition is a collaboration of community members, including Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, Catholic Charities of Lake County, and Ascension Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance. They appreciate additional support from AbbVie, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Waukegan Alumnae Chapter, Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, College of Lake County, Community Walgreens, Gilead Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, LGBTQ+ Center of Lake County, Prairie State Legal Services, ViiV Healthcare, Waukegan Friends, and YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Our community partners and volunteers work together for capacity building, advocacy, and the elimination of HIV-related stigma.
About Need2Know Lake County The Health Department's Need2Know Lake County program provides comprehensive care and prevention services for at-risk individuals in Lake County. The program provides HIV counseling and testing, clinical services for sexually transmitted infections, treatments to individuals diagnosed with an STI, hepatitis C screenings, syphilis screenings, risk reduction counseling, psycho-social support, health education groups, and outreach and surveillance services related to all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and Hepatitis C.
For more information, call: (847) 377-8450 or visit: lakecountyil.gov/need2know
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