WNCAP Raises AIDS Awareness
By Jason Sandford, WNCAP Board Member
The Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) has launched a campaign, “I Need You to Know,” to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimates that one in five people living with HIV is not aware of their status. Because early entry into care lowers medical costs and improves prognoses, testing is the essential first step in HIV/AIDS prevention. But people at risk often fear the stigma of AIDS.
“It took a couple of months before I told my sisters,” says Shirley, a WNCAP client whose family is now supportive. At first, however, “They didn’t want me around at all,” she says. “My niece had just had my great-nephew. I didn’t get to see him until he was four years old.”
The stigma tends to be worse in the South and rural areas. Many
clients want or need to remain anonymous, and the WNCAP office
maintains a low profile. “Protecting client confidentiality is a high
priority,” says Executive Director Ron Curran. “We encourage our
clients to seek support from friends and family, but we understand
their fears and concerns.”
WNCAP’s new campaign is designed increase prevention efforts and
let HIV-positive men, women, and youth know that support is available.
WNCAP hopes to obtain 5,000 signatures on a statement affirming that
“People living with HIV/AIDS:
• deserve to be treated with dignity and respect
• deserve unconditional love from their families
• have a right to equal access under the law to safe and affordable housing, employment, healthcare and education
• should be seen as productive members of society
• have a right to LIVE, just like everyone else.”
People may sign electronically or download a printable version of the form at www.wncap.org/iknow.
In addition to posters, bumper stickers, and other promotional
media, the campaign is airing commercials filmed pro bono at Bonesteel
Films. The spots will air on Charter Cable channels through July at no
cost, reflecting Charter’s commitment to counteract the stigma of
HIV/AIDS.
The “I Need You to Know” campaign was funded by the Cable
Positive Foundation, which works nationally to mobilize the cable and
telecommunications industry to raise HIV/AIDS awareness, support
HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care, and end the stigma surrounding
the disease. Since 1996, 300 local AIDS service organizations funded by
the Cable Positive Foundation have formed partnerships with cable
outlets around the country to produce locally focused HIV/AIDS related
messages used to empower the communities they serve.
WNCAP provides HIV Case Management and support services to
people living with HIV/AIDS in twelve WNC counties and manages a
comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention program in seventeen counties. All
campaign materials, including articles, links and stories about
HIV/AIDS stigma, as well as copies of the PSAs, can be found on the WNCAP Web site .
For more information, contact Laura Kirby ([email protected]) or
Chris Winebrenner ([email protected]) or by phone at
828-252-7489.
