On Tuesday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m., Elon Cares will hold a panel discussion titled “AIDS: Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going-.” The panel will be held on the Elon University campus in Moseley Center room 215. Refreshments will be served prior to the panel.
The panel will be moderated by student Jennifer Pierson, and the panelists include:
- Stacy Smith, Executive Director of Triad Health Project
- Ricky Yow, Founder of Global Wheel of Hope
- Jane Stephens, English Department Chair at High Point University
- Tom Arcaro, Professor of Sociology at Elon University
- Adam Smith, Elon University student
There are more than 42 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. The disease will eradicate an entire generation of people in Africa. The United States is seeing its first rise in infections since the mid-1990s. Panelists will discuss their role in the epidemic as well as the future of AIDS. Issues such as AIDS policy, discrimination, AIDS in Africa, as well as the disease’s effect on economic and political systems around the world will be the main points of discussion.
“AIDS is an important issue, especially for college students,” Adam Smith, coordinator of Elon Cares said. “This is an issue that will affect us all for the rest of our lives and we need to be aware of its implications.”
The panel is part of AIDS Awareness Week at Elon University. In addition to having an information table set up throughout the week in Moseley Center, there will be a condom carnival, film showing, and a fundraiser with the May 8 Maroon 5 concert for the Elizabeth Glaeser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. AIDS Awareness Week is sponsored by Elon Cares and Elon Volunteers.
“Hopefully, after hearing these people speak, students and community members will be called to action,” Smith said.