The student group at the University of Iowa celebrates World AIDS Day with activities of the Iowa City Red Week

<! – Total To: 1
Length To: 1
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

In the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day, on December 1, Chelsea Higgins hopes to start some conversations.

<! – Total To: 2
Length To: 2
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

She is executive director of IC Red, a group of students from the University of Iowa who plans a week-long activities to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

<! – Total Paragraph: 3
Long Paragraph: 3
Total of Long Pra: 19
Total Total Paragraph: 20
->

" Many people do not know that it is still a problem, "he said. "We are trying to raise awareness, reduce the stigma and make talking about it less taboo."

<! – Total To: 4
Long To: 4
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

Activities of IC Red Week include the Reading of the names in the Pentacrest on November 30, an annual tradition on the campus of a recitation of names of people who died of AIDS from sunrise to sunset, in addition to showing a nation panel AIDS Memorial Quilt, a handmade tapestry that honors 96,000 people lost to AIDS, at the Old Capitol Museum from November 26 to December 1. Other activities include a fashion show, art exhibitions, a film screening and a panel discussion.

<! – Total To: 5
Length To: 5
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

One secondary from UI, which specializes in genetics, biotechnology and music, Higgins first became involved in Red Week's efforts in his first year when he was looking for student groups to participate. Previously, IC Red Week was organized by representatives of several student organizations.

<! – Paragraph Total: 6
Paragraph Length: 6
Total of Pra Long: 19
Total Paragraph Total: 20
->

This year, IC Red is its own group of independent students with approximately 16 members. That gives the group its own budget and more capacity to organize events throughout the year, Higgins said, not just in the week around World AIDS Day. Earlier this year, for example, the group organized an on-campus discussion with gay men who lived through the height of the HIV / AIDS epidemic in the United States.

<! – Total To: 7
Long To: 7
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

The Day World AIDS, first designated in 1988, began during that time. Although treatment options and more knowledge about the virus have changed the way people live with HIV / AIDS since then, Higgins notes that education is still important.

<! – Total To: 8
Length To: 8
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, is transmitted through certain body fluids, is usually transmitted sexually or through the use of Needles, and attacks the body's immune system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If left untreated, HIV can develop into AIDS-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

<! – Paragraph Total: 9
Paragraph Length: 9
Total of Pra Long: 19
Total Total Paragraph: 20
->

No There is a cure for HIV, but it can be controlled with adequate medical attention. Today, a person diagnosed with HIV and treated before the disease is too advanced can live as long as someone who does not have the virus, according to the CDC.

<! – Total To: 10
Length To: 10
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

The Department of Iowa Public Health reported that in 2017, there were 2,790 people living with HIV in Iowa, and 125 Iowas were diagnosed with HIV in 2017.

<! – Total To: 11
Length To: 11
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

"Really I hope we can open new conversations and eliminate taboos so that people can talk freely about their experiences and what it means to be at risk, "Higgins said.

IC Red Week Program

• Game night and clothing collection benefit Shelter House, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm November 26, LGBT Resource Center, 125 Grand Ave Court, Iowa City

<! – Total To: 12
Length To: 12
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

• Exhibition Red Fashion and Phelps Art Exhibition, from 5 to 7 pm November 27, Visual Arts Building, University of Iowa, 107 River St., Iowa City

<! – Paragraph Total: 13
Paragraph Length: 13
Total of Pra Long: 19
Total Paragraph Total: 20
->

• AIDS on the big screen: screening of "Dallas Buyers Club", from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Becker Communications Building, 25 S. Madison St., Iowa City

<! – Total Paragraph: 14
Long Paragraph: 14
Total of Long Pra: 19
Total Total Paragraph: 20
->

• Stopping the Stigma Education Panel with Marie Kruger, Hillel Haim, Dena Dillion and Kethryn Edel, from 7 to 8 pm November 29, Shambaugh Auditorium, Main Library of the University of Iowa, 125 W. Washington St., Iowa City

<! – Total To: 15
Length To: 15
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

• Reading of names, 6:45 a.m. at 4:40 p.m. November 30, Pentacrest of the University of Iowa, 21 N. Clinton St., Iowa City

<! – Paragraph total: 16
Paragraph length: 16
Total length of Pra: 19
Paragraph total: 20
->

• Affiliated event: The Mirage, a night of entertainment, education, free HIV tests and a drag show, 9 p.m. November 30, Iowa Memorial Union, 125 N. Madison St., Iowa City

<! – Total Paragraph: 17
Long Paragraph: 17
Total Pra Long: 19
Total Total Paragraph: 20
->

• The AIDS Memorial Armchair Panel on display, from November 26 to December 1, 1st floor roundabout, Old Capitol Museum, 21 N. Clinton St., Iowa City

<! – Paragraph Total: 18
Paragraph Length: 18
Total of Pra Long: 19
Total Paragraph Total: 20
->

• Day without art, from noon to 4 pm December 1, Public Space One, Wesley Center, 120 N. Dubuque St., Iowa City

<! – Total To: 19
Long To: 19
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

To obtain For more information on Red Week events, visit facebook.com/ICRedWeek.

<! – Total To: 20
Length To: 19
Long Pra Total: 19
Total To total: 20
->

l Comments : (319) 398-8339; alison.gowans@thegazette.com