Week of Work Targets AIDS Awareness

Baton Rouge's colleges have joined with local HIV/AIDS service organizations to raise awareness about the disease. The action coincides with a proclamation from the Louisiana governor's office declaring Oct. 22-26 as "Know AIDS Mobilization Week." The public is encouraged to attend the week's activities, such as forums and informational fairs taking place at Southern University, Louisiana State University (LSU) and Baton Rouge Community College, and the public is encouraged to attend. "Our aim was never just to focus on the student population," Southern University Chancellor Edward Jackson said, but rather to enlist support from two of the state's largest universities to help bring a greater awareness to AIDS.

Jackson and LSU Chancellor Mark Emmert are honorary co-chairs of the week's finale event, the Friends of Life AIDS Resource Center's "Dinner of a Lifetime." "I would beg the public not to underestimate this horrible disease. Even though treatments have improved, no cure has been found," Jackson said. The Dinner of a Lifetime on Oct. 29 will raise money to help cover costs not addressed by local, state or federal HIV/AIDS funding, said Ric Smith, executive director of Friends of Life. One of the biggest uses of the money is burial costs, although it can also be used for food, housing, utilities or other emergency needs. The money is shared with other HIV/AIDS service agencies, including Volunteers of America, St. Anthony's and Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge, Smith said. This is the second year for the fundraising dinner and sponsors hope to raise more than the $22,000 raised last year, said Smith. The Dinner of a Lifetime will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Camelot Club, 41 Florida Blvd., 21st floor. Tickets are $75 for individuals and $700 per table.

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