May 18 marks the 13th annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD), an opportunity to reflect on the impact HIV/AIDS continues to have on communities across the country, and a time to acknowledge the perseverance of the scientists, researchers, community leaders, individuals, governments and organizations committed to ending the epidemic by supporting preventive HIV vaccine research.
HVAD is also a day to recognize the critical contribution of the clinical trial volunteers who make this important research possible. This May 18, The DC Center for the LGBT Community, in collaboration with local HIV vaccine research sites and community organizations, calls on the citizens of Washington DC to be part of the efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by showing their support for HIV vaccine research.
The diverse communities of Washington DC are participating in local events to commemorate this awareness day, rallying to learn more about research studies, and coming together to find new ways to support the ongoing HIV vaccine research occurring in towns and cities across the nation.
In the United States alone, more than 1.2 million people are estimated to be living with HIV. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 56,300 people are infected with HIV each year. Minority communities are disproportionately affected by this devastating disease, with African Americans accounting for nearly half of all new infections and Hispanics accounting for 18 percent.
Learn more about HIV vaccine research and local events at www.aidsvaccine.org.
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Lunch
Who: The DC Center for the LGBT Community, The Vaccine Research Center, the Rockville Vaccine Assessment Clinic, Us Helping Us, and the Capital Area Vaccine Effort
What: Free informational lunch presentation on the basics of HIV Vaccine Research
When: Tuesday May 18th, 12:30 PM
Where: The DC Center for the LGBT Community, 1810 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Find out more | RSVP on Facebook
HIV Vaccine Outreach Night
Who: The DC Center for the LGBT Community, The Vaccine Research Center, the Rockville Vaccine Assessment Clinic, Us Helping Us, and the Capital Area Vaccine Effort
What: Join us for a brief presentation followed by a night of outreach at local bars and nightclubs.
When: Thursday May 20th, 7:00 PM
Where: Meet at the DC Center, 1810 14th St NW, then proceed to outreach venues.
Find out more | RSVP on Facebook
