AIDS Awareness Week - Friday 29 Nov to 6 December

AIDS Awareness Week
Friday 29 November to Friday 06 December 2002

The New Zealand AIDS Foundation this year has declared Friday 29 November to Friday 06 December 2002 AIDS Awareness Week with a number of events happening nationwide including Red Ribbon Day (The New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s National Street Appeal) on Friday 29 November and World AIDS Day on Sunday 01 December.

Red Ribbon Day – Friday 29 November

AIDS Awareness Week will commence with Red Ribbon Day, NZAF’s national street appeal which is now building momentum. Street collectors will be out and about in all major cities and some towns throughout New Zealand. The exposure for this fundraising event has been boosted once again by TVNZ awarding the AIDS Foundation Community Support Airtime during the month of November in order to screen the Red Ribbon Day appeal advertisement..

World AIDS Day – Sunday 01 December

The theme for World AIDS Day this year, as established by UNAIDS, is “Discrimination and Stigma - Live and Let Live”. This highlights that stigma and discrimination are still major obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Fear of discrimination may prevent people from seeking treatment for HIV/AIDS or from acknowledging their HIV status publicly. The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS may extend into the next generation, placing an emotional burden on children and/or friends who may also be trying to cope with the death of a parent and/or loved one. This year’s campaign will encourage people to break the silence and the barriers to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Only by confronting stigma and discrimination will the fight against HIV/AIDS be won.

A selection of events occurring throughout New Zealand is listed below:

Friday 29 November
Red Ribbon Day NZAF National Street Appeal Collectors in Auckland, Thames, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Blenheim, Picton, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin or dial 0900 RIBBON (74226) at anytime to make an automatic $10.00 donation (you must be the bill payer) Bands in the Octagon “with prizes to be won“ Dunedin, 12.30pm-2.30pm Contact: Lisa Te Pana Event coordinator - Working Together Group Ph: 03 477 6988

“Love Life and Passion – Death of an Upchair” Auction of a red/orange upchair, plus Tauranga’s “Who’s Who Book” Proceeds to BAASS (local AIDS group) AXIOM Café/gallery, 131 Willow St, Tauranga from 6pm Contacts: Marlene Ware, Ph: 07 579 8460 or Gina, Ph 07 578 7575

Sunday 01 December
“Sex in the Park” 1pm – 6pm An educational fun day for the youth in Bromley Park, Christchurch Contact: Ian Smith NZAF, Ettie Rout Centre, Ph: 03 379 1953

World AIDS Day Picnic Circle of Friends, Kanuka Grove, Western Springs Park, Auckland from 12 noon BYO picnic or order a prepacked picnic box Entertainment by “Solstice” Jazz Quartet

“Live and Let Live” –World AIDS Day Picnic BYO picnic, for whanau & friends Frank Kitts Park, Wellington 12noon – 2pm Entertainment by The Hiptet, info stalls, fun and games Contact: Rachael Hadwen, NZAF, Awhina Centre, Ph: 04 381 6640 Tuesday 03 December M.A.C. Artworks, Art Auction @ 6.00pm MC – Charlotte Dawson Auctioneer – Peter Webb Pavillion, Royal & Sun Alliance Building 48 Shortland Street, Auckland (By invite)

Free and confidential HIV information and testing for women in collaboration with the NZAF Awhina Centre and Wellington Women’s Health Collective Women’s Centre, 56 Victoria St, Wellington For appointments call Robyn or Nikki Ph: 04 499 7709

Wednesday 04 December
NZAF Cocktail party and Membership Launch including the presentation of the NZAF Life Membership Awards Government House, Auckland @ 6pm Hosted by the Governor General (By invite)

For a complete list of AIDS Awareness events please refer to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation website: www.nzaf.org.nz