The University of Toledo will recognize World AIDS Day next week with a pair of events focused on raising awareness of the historic — and ongoing — struggles faced by individuals living with HIV.
Established in 1988 as the AIDS epidemic accelerated, World AIDS Day is an opportunity to inspire people worldwide to join in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with HIV and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illnesses. The event is recognized annually on Dec. 1.
The UToledo Health Care Clinic team is encouraging all members of the campus community to wear red on Monday, Dec. 1, to show their support for World AIDS Day.
This year, World AIDS Day falls on a Monday, and the UToledo Health Care Clinic is encouraging faculty, staff and students to show their support by wearing red that day.
The Care Clinic — which provides comprehensive HIV care services through the Ryan White Program — also will hand out red ribbons Monday outside the Four Seasons Bistro at the University of Toledo Medical Center.
“World AIDS Day is a moment to honor those whose lives have been affected by HIV. Even with the tremendous progress we’ve made, continuing to build awareness and understanding remains essential to reducing stigma,” said Katie Himich, program director at the UToledo Health Care Clinic. “Outward shows of support, like wearing red on World AIDS Day, is a visible way for our community to stand together in solidarity and reinforce our shared commitment to equitable, compassionate care.”
UToledo will host two events later in the week illustrating the challenges experienced by individuals navigating their own HIV diagnoses or that of a loved one.
On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Department of Theatre and Film will host a screening of the 2024 documentary “Join the Club,” which tells the story of how Dennis Peron became an activist for the legalization of medical cannabis following the death of his partner from AIDS and his experiences seeing how cannabis products alleviated the symptoms of AIDS patients.
The screening begins at 7 p.m. in the Center for Performing Arts Room 1039. A question-and-answer session will follow, featuring filmmaker Chris O’Connell along with three UToledo faculty experts:
• Brandon Cohen, a senior lecturer in the Department of Management in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation and a cannabis industry professional with subject matter expertise;
• Steven Peseckis, an associate professor of medicinal and biological chemistry in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and cannabis researcher; and
• Youssef Sari, a professor of pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences with expertise in the neuropharmacology of drugs of abuse and treatments.
Admission is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Individuals can reserve seats in advance through the event webpage.
Additionally, the Care Clinic and the PEOPLE Club, a student-run organization focused on the healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ community, are partnering to present a Friday, Dec. 5, panel discussion on the lived experience of those with HIV. That panel will include several individuals who are living with HIV, as well as Dr. Joan Duggan, an infectious disease expert and medical director of the hospital’s Ryan White Program, and Danielle Van Fleet, HIV testing coordinator at the UToledo Health Care Clinic.
The panel discussion, which also is free and open to the public, begins at noon in Health Education Building Room 100. Employees and students are encouraged to register through the InvoNet event page. Pizza will be provided.
