UC San Diego to Commemorate World AIDS Day Dec. 1

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The impact HIV/AIDS has had and continues to have in the San Diego community and beyond is the center of the University of California, San Diego’s recognition of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

The campus will sponsor a number of events throughout the day, including a display of sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in the Price Center Ballroom East from noon until 9 p.m. Other events on World AIDS Day, which was established in 1988 and is held on Dec. 1 each year, include a presentation on the HIV prevention pill Truvada, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), artistic performances, stories from young people living with HIV and more.

“World AIDS Day is an opportunity for the UC San Diego community to join people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “At UC San Diego, we are dedicated to conducting innovative research and providing advanced care to treat patients and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.”

A sampling of various activities, displays and other events are below. Click here to view the full calendar of events.

• AIDS Memorial Quilt Display, noon to 9 p.m., the Price Center East Ballroom: The AIDS Memorial Quilt, the largest ongoing arts project in the world, will be displayed along with live music. The three sections on display are inspired by San Diego organizations and individuals as they have responded to the AIDS crisis, from the early years of the epidemic through the present day. Attendees can also expect a digital slideshow displaying images from the Visual AIDS’ Artist+ Registry, the largest database of works by artists with HIV/AIDS.

Ankita Kadakia, M.D., a physician from UC San Diego’s HIV specialty care clinic, the Owen Clinic

• “PrEP Talk” Presentation, 12:30 to 2 p.m., the Price Center John Muir College Room: Ankita Kadakia, M.D., a physician from UC San Diego’s HIV specialty care clinic, the Owen Clinic, will be talking about the once-a-day pill to help prevent HIV infections, Truvada, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which may be the most effective way for people who do not have HIV to prevent HIV infection.

• Talks for Specific Communities and Populations Impacted by HIV, various times and locations. Throughout the day, various campus community centers will host informational presentations for a wide range of communities, such as:
  • The Latino/a community, 10 a.m., the Raza Resource Centro (this session will be conducted in Spanish)
  • HIV/AIDS in the Black Community, 11 a.m., Black Resource Center
  • Transgender Youth and HIV/AIDS, 2 p.m., the LGBT Resource Center
  • HIV/AIDS and Women, 3 p.m., the Women’s Center
  • Asians/Pacific Islanders and HIV/AIDS, 4 p.m., Cross-Cultural Center
     
• HIV/AIDS Information and Resources, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Library Walk: Along Library Walk will be interactive displays and activities—provided by the Student Health Advocates—that explore the history, milestones, prevalence and misconceptions of HIV/AIDS. Additionally, faculty, staff and students can receive free, anonymous HIV and STD testing from the Family Health Centers of San Diego in Town Square, parallel to Library Walk.

• Dance Performance, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Triton Steps: Theatre and Dance professor Eric Geiger will perform a special dance, “to be of service: fairies and royalty,” created to honor World AIDS Day and the impact of HIV/AIDS.

• Youth Living with HIV, 7 to 8 p.m., John Muir College Room: Attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand stories from a panel of young adults who are living with HIV. Following the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity for those who have been affected to share their stories on an open mic.