Spring Break
Code Red: raising funds and AIDS awareness
Charlie Upchurch
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: Culture
It's human nature to avoid things that scare you. However, certain Kansas Citians are prepared to make sure that our community is well-educated about the prevention of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a disease with a scary reputation.
"As a member of the heterosexual community, I know that people are scared of AIDS," said Lauren Jones, University of Kansas graduate student and co-chair of the Millennial League, an AIDS-awareness group in Kansas City.
"People don't want to talk about it and we want to change that," Jones said. "We have to get people to be realistic-this effects everyone."
With World AIDS Awareness Day just around the corner on Dec. 1, the Millennial League is working to make sure our community is as educated as possible about the prevention of the disease.
"The Millennial League is an organization that was started because the activists were all older people, really," said Ryan M. Chambers, a manager with New Theater Restaurant in Overland Park and member of the Millennial League.
"Approximately 75% of the new infections are in the 18-24 year old range," he said. "We wanted to reach a younger crowd because that's the area where people were really being affected."
There are currently more than 5,000 people with AIDS living in the Kansas City 11-county area, according to the Kansas City Health Department. The Millennial League's goal is to prevent more people from getting AIDS by educating them on the facts about prevention.
"AIDS is a life-changing event that usually happens out of a momentary lapse in judgment," said Chambers. "We want to educate people on how to avoid those lapses."
The group is hosting a Code Red Event on Nov. 26 to raise awareness in the community and to raise funds for AIDS awareness. The event will be held at the Berg Event Space, located at 1525 Grand Street, in Downtown Kansas City.
"General admission tickets are $20-from 8 p.m. to midnight. you get free food and drinks-Miller Light and Code Red's signature cosmos," said Jessica Cox, professional musician in the Kansas City area and Chair of Host/Hospitality Committee for Code Red.
"As a member of the heterosexual community, I know that people are scared of AIDS," said Lauren Jones, University of Kansas graduate student and co-chair of the Millennial League, an AIDS-awareness group in Kansas City.
"People don't want to talk about it and we want to change that," Jones said. "We have to get people to be realistic-this effects everyone."
With World AIDS Awareness Day just around the corner on Dec. 1, the Millennial League is working to make sure our community is as educated as possible about the prevention of the disease.
"The Millennial League is an organization that was started because the activists were all older people, really," said Ryan M. Chambers, a manager with New Theater Restaurant in Overland Park and member of the Millennial League.
"Approximately 75% of the new infections are in the 18-24 year old range," he said. "We wanted to reach a younger crowd because that's the area where people were really being affected."
There are currently more than 5,000 people with AIDS living in the Kansas City 11-county area, according to the Kansas City Health Department. The Millennial League's goal is to prevent more people from getting AIDS by educating them on the facts about prevention.
"AIDS is a life-changing event that usually happens out of a momentary lapse in judgment," said Chambers. "We want to educate people on how to avoid those lapses."
The group is hosting a Code Red Event on Nov. 26 to raise awareness in the community and to raise funds for AIDS awareness. The event will be held at the Berg Event Space, located at 1525 Grand Street, in Downtown Kansas City.
"General admission tickets are $20-from 8 p.m. to midnight. you get free food and drinks-Miller Light and Code Red's signature cosmos," said Jessica Cox, professional musician in the Kansas City area and Chair of Host/Hospitality Committee for Code Red.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jeremy Reed
posted 11/19/08 @ 10:00 AM CST
The date listed in the article is off. The event is actually Wednesday, November 26th. It will be a great night to stay out late, because the following day is Thanksgiving!
It sounds like it will be awsome! Hope to see you there. (Continued…)
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