AEGiS-PRn: Latinos Unite in Hope: 13th Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration Honors the Lives of Those Affected by Global Epidemic

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Latinos Unite in Hope: 13th Annual World AIDS Day Commemoration Honors the Lives of Those Affected by Global Epidemic

PRNewswire - November 27, 2006

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, December 1st, Latinos in Los Angeles will come together to observe World AIDS Day. The event is organized by BIENESTAR, the largest Latino community based organization in the United States committed to meeting the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and those most at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The event will take place at the historic Olvera Street church, Our Lady Queen of Angeles and it will include the participation of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, California Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, reporter Ricardo Quintero and radio hosts Johnny Hernandez and Jaime Pina.

The ceremony is expected to draw hundreds of Latinos in the Los Angeles area for a night of remembrance and community empowerment. Several BIENESTAR clients will also speak to the attendees about their experience living with HIV and of their hopes to defeat the disease.

"This year's World AIDS Day is focused on keeping the promise to eradicate this disease. For those of us that work with communities of color whom are disproportionately affected by HIV, keeping the promise means empowering our very own community so that they become our partners in our fight against the epidemic," said Oscar De La O, President and CEO of BIENESTAR.

A quarter of a century since the discovery of AIDS, every part of the world has been affected by the epidemic. Today, an estimated 3 million people in North and South America are waging their own struggle against the disease. Latinos represent one of every five new HIV cases in the United States and represent about 48% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases in Los Angeles County. With AIDS being the leading cause of death due to disease among male Latinos ages 24-44 in the Unities States, a focus on the Latino population as part of this world wide epidemic is necessary.

Placita Olvera -- Our lady Queen of Angeles Church -- 535 N. Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

December 1st 6:30-9:30pm

BIENESTAR is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of the Latino community and other underserved communities. BIENESTAR accomplishes this through community education, prevention, mobilization, advocacy and the provision of direct social services. For more information visit http://www.bienestar.org.

SOURCE BIENESTAR

http://www.bienestar.org/

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PR061128

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