Students from both UB and Buffalo State College gathered on Friday the 21st to discuss the impact the AIDS virus has on society.
The discussion, hosted by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, intended to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and help educate the public.
"We want to promote AIDS awareness," said Lauren Brown, the president of the Gamma Kappa chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Brown vocalized the importance of AIDS awareness and education in today's society. She also expressed her excitement to hear from the two speakers present at the program, a health educator from Planned Parenthood and a local citizen speaking out about his personal experience with HIV.
"Anybody can get AIDS, and once you have AIDS there's no going back," Brown said.
"A huge part of what we do is prevention education, and promote safe sex," Seitz said.
Seitz went on to discuss the various ways in which Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can be spread. Sharing used needles and unprotected sexual intercourse are the most common means of exposure to these diseases.
Students then heard from a local resident living with the HIV virus. He discussed his previous lifestyle and how extensive drug use and unprotected sexual activity resulted in him being diagnosed as HIV positive in 2001.
"I really commend the guy who spoke about AIDS. It just shows how prevalent it is in our society now and how easy it is to spread," said Harriet Ndagire, a senior nursing major.
The students felt that listening to a person speak about the disease from personal experience gave the entire program relevance and meaning.
"It was very educative," said Ndagire.
Following the discussion, students were able to receive free HIV testing and received their results in only 20 minutes.
"It's important to get tested more than once and it's important to talk to your partner about getting tested and protect yourself," said Brittny, a senior architecture student.
This event marked the end of Red and White Week, a weeklong event consisting of various community service programs hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. The sorority holds a numerous amount of community service projects and educational programs each year. These programs are open to the public and can be attended by anyone. This year the undergraduate chapter of the sorority participated in such events as the Heart Walk, the AIDS Walk, and hosted a Clean-Up Day.
Delta Sigma Theta also has special programs each month in which anyone can participate. Friday's discussion was just another way in which the sorority gives back to the community.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
