National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness rally Saturday

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness rally Saturday

Get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated

news@theeveningtimes.com

February is National Black History month but the first Saturday of the month has since 1999 been marked with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

As a Community Connector, Melvin Watson’s goal is to contact individuals in need of health care and refer them to service providers. Watson works in a variety of ways to connect citizens to health care and other services like the one tomorrow in West Memphis as part of a national community mobilization initiative to engage the Black population.

Watson invited everyone out to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated. Under the slogan of “I Am My Brother/Sister’s Keeper” the West Memphis awareness event is slated for this Saturday, Feb. 6, at JET’ADORE, 2301 East Broadway, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guest speakers representing health care resources along with information booths will be available.

Door prizes, food and entertainment round out the event.

Watson indicated that HIV/AIDS rates are higher in the black community especially around southern cities like Little Rock and Memphis. He feels right on the mark hosting the event in West Memphis.

“With health care the divide isn’t just among rich and poor, insured or uninsured,” said Watson. “It’s also about where you live and getting connected to testing and treatment.”

By John Rech